Fielder

[Tyler Durden]

There are so many what ifs though.  I still think there will be a point late in the offseason or during ST at which the focus will turn to a Zim extension. 

Hey I agree.  Just trying to read the tea leaves.  Getting Zim resigned would be the best way to go, all things being equal.  I don't think all things will be considered equal, though.

[natsfan4evr]

LaRoche is always very professional. A very classy and stand up guy.

He understands the game and the business side. It would be pretty crazy to take this personal since he has been with the team for one year (and only played in 1/4 of that year). I understand how Hanley Ramirez feels, but LaRoche would be crazy to take this personally after being unable to contribute to the team based on the contract he signed.

[Hondo]

Can we get this over with already?  Come on Boras, crap or get off the pot.

[GburgNatsFan]

Now it's on the Nationals web site, or maybe this is in this thread somewhere. I looked, but did not see it.


http://washington.nationals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120102&content_id=26253892&vkey=news_was&c_id=was

[welch]

Now it's on the Nationals web site, or maybe this is in this thread somewhere. I looked, but did not see it.


http://washington.nationals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120102&content_id=26253892&vkey=news_was&c_id=was

1. If Ladson is reporting that  the Nats are "in" on Fielder, then they are probably out.

2. In Ladson's article: "When asked about Fielder being linked to the Nationals, another source said: 'I think Boras is using [the Nats] to drive up the price with interested teams.'" 

[shoeshineboy]

2. In Ladson's article: "When asked about Fielder being linked to the Nationals, another source said: 'I think Boras is using [the Nats] to drive up the price with interested teams.'" 

Of course, it is common place for other MLB sources to always assume that any team other than the Yankees and Red Sox are typically used by agents to drive up prices. So, getting that comment is expected.

That said, it wouldn't be a surprise. Boras used the Nats to drive up the price on Tex. And ultimately, the prices paid for SS and Harper were reasonable. I still figure the discussions are likely Fielder related, but in the end, this also serves the ongoing relationship between the Nats and Team Boras. Rizzo can help drive up Fielder's price and get some future consideration back in the deal.

[Evolution33]

While it is confirmed that the Nats met with Boras he also represents Ankiel, Madson, and Jackson who have all been linked to the Nats at one time or another.

[epic_phalanx]

While it is confirmed that the Nats met with Boras he also represents Ankiel, Madson, and Jackson who have all been linked to the Nats at one time or another.

I think the important distinction is that Boras met with the Lerners and not just Rizzo. One would assume the free agents you listed would not require direct contact with ownership while a Prince Fielder contract would.

[GburgNatsFan]

Maybe, but can Ladson really get an article on the Nationals site - front page, as it were - without some team official condoning it?

1. If Ladson is reporting that  the Nats are "in" on Fielder, then they are probably out.

2. In Ladson's article: "When asked about Fielder being linked to the Nationals, another source said: 'I think Boras is using [the Nats] to drive up the price with interested teams.'" 

[Lintyfresh85]

Maybe, but can Ladson really get an article on the Nationals site - front page, as it were - without some team official condoning it?

Don't see why not.

Team doesn't run the website, MLB does.

[natsfan4evr]

Don't see why not.

Team doesn't run the website, MLB does.

I disagree, that website is controlled by the Nats. Lodson typically only writes about confirmed information from the front-office. If he is speculating, he usually says so. This really doesn't mean Prince is going to be a Nat, but I think it's a pretty safe bet that the Lerners met with Boras to talk about potentially acquiring Prince Fielder.

[The Chief]

My feeling is that we're just the failsafe option and that the Lerners won't aggressively pursue Fielder if Boras can get anyone else to make a competitive bid.  Boras gets a team to drive up the price, and the Lerners maybe get a bargain on a huge FA signing.  If not, no biggie.  There's always next year!

[Ray D]

My guess is that the Nats are willing to go five years, maybe six, @ around $22M, with an opt out (player opt out) after three. And, that there are no teams willing to go higher.   

Texas may be the only team that would go higher, in theory,  but if Texas signs Darvish they are out of the picture and I fully expect that they will. The speculation about Cubs interest is ridiculous.   

If I had to bet right now, I'd say we sign him, but not until Texas signs Darvish.

[HalfSmokes]

My guess is that the Nats are willing to go five years, maybe six, @ around $22M, with an opt out (player opt out) after three. And, that there are no teams willing to go higher.   

Texas may be the only team that would go higher, in theory,  but if Texas signs Darvish they are out of the picture and I fully expect that they will. The speculation about Cubs interest is ridiculous.   

If I had to bet right now, I'd say we sign him, but not until Texas signs Darvish.

I agree, except about texas signing Darvish. He's basically leaving $50 million worth of value on the table if he signs now as opposed to coming over as a free agent. He'll get less if he waits, but $50 million less (plus he already makes $7 million per according to mlbtr, so he's not exactly a pauper if he waits)?

[Ray D]

Good point about the $50M value, going to his Japanese team rather than him. But it makes you wonder, what was the whole charade about then?  Did Texas deliberately outbid everyone else, just to block  the other teams, with the expectation of not signing him?

[Lintyfresh85]

Good point about the $50M value, going to his Japanese team rather than him. But it makes you wonder, what was the whole charade about then?  Did Texas deliberately outbid everyone else, just to block  the other teams, with the expectation of not signing him?

MLB would look very unfavorably upon that type of move.

[houston-nat]

MLB would look very unfavorably upon that type of move.

The A's did it once, I think, only with a really random obscure player.

[houston-nat]

My guess is that the Nats are willing to go five years, maybe six, @ around $22M, with an opt out (player opt out) after three. And, that there are no teams willing to go higher.   

If I had to bet right now, I'd say we sign him, but not until Texas signs Darvish.

This would be a really good situation. Any more than that and he is a serious gamble. But at that he's a bargain. Does that make sense or am I nuts?

[HalfSmokes]

MLB would look very unfavorably upon that type of move.

And... They aren't getting an all star game anytime soon, and a new cba was just signed; what other leverage does the great bud hold over owners?

[GburgNatsFan]

Both could be true.

This would be a really good situation. Any more than that and he is a serious gamble. But at that he's a bargain. Does that make sense or am I nuts?

[Lintyfresh85]

And... They aren't getting an all star game anytime soon, and a new cba was just signed; what other leverage does the great bud hold over owners?

Considering it could damage the whole posting system beyond repair... I'm sure he'll find a way to make sure things go smoothly.

[Ray D]

MLB would look very unfavorably upon that type of move.

Texas could make a good faith effort (or make it seem like a good faith effort) to sign him but fail to reach agreement.

  I don't see that there is much common ground. There is 50M going to his Japanese team,  he could consider that a large part of that 50M could rightfully be going to him instead if he just waits one year. That plus the fact that he'd make 7m in Japan, he isn't going to settle for less than say 10M, and he'd want at least a five year deal.  So all of a sudden 50M becomes 100M.  Is he worth that?

[imref]

unsubstantiated rumors of a 7/163m deal are floating around the twittersphere.

[Lintyfresh85]

unsubstantiated rumors of a 7/163m deal are floating around the twittersphere.

As in, has been signed... or offered?

[natsfan4evr]

unsubstantiated rumors of a 7/163m deal are floating around the twittersphere.

Done? Nats?
I'd take that deal