Fielder

[tomterp]

I think Chief and I have had conversations about this before, but if that's the case what do you see as a best case scenario given that the two main prospects were the result of 100+ loss seasons?

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Not sure I follow your question fully, but that's never stopped me before.

If the Nats go cheap and don't sign their best young players to longer contracts - players such as Ramos, Espinosa, Zimmerman, Zimmermann, Strasburg, Harper - then the only solid alternative is to deal them with a couple of years left for max prospect value.  I think how it will ultimately play out is they will deal some and extend some.

[Tyler Durden]

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Not sure I follow your question fully, but that's never stopped me before.

If the Nats go cheap and don't sign their best young players to longer contracts - players such as Ramos, Espinosa, Zimmerman, Zimmermann, Strasburg, Harper - then the only solid alternative is to deal them with a couple of years left for max prospect value.  I think how it will ultimately play out is they will deal some and extend some.

Exactly right.  If signing Prince means you make cuts down the road, you keep some key guys and let others walk or trade them if you can.  You replace the replaceable guys through your own prospects or sign undervalued guys to fill in as needed.

You keep Jimmy Rollins and Chase Utley and Cole Hamels.  You let Jayson Werth walk.  For example.

[Ray D]

Dude, I dunno about others, but for me, I more or less stop paying attention to the Nats in September. First of all, school starts, and more importantly, it's football time.

More importantly it's  football time?  you're clearly not a DC fan.  So I suppose it's a moot point.

[PebbleBall]

I still struggle with the Zimmerman/Fielder thing.  If it's about money and they can only keep one, why would they choose the more expensive one in FA?  If it's not about money, or if they're already planning on a Zim exit strategy, why is the Fielder signing relevant?  It's not like they aren't already preparing a plan for Zim one way or the other.

[PANatsFan]

I still struggle with the Zimmerman/Fielder thing.  If it's about money and they can only keep one, why would they choose the more expensive one in FA?  If it's not about money, or if they're already planning on a Zim exit strategy, why is the Fielder signing relevant?  It's not like they aren't already preparing a plan for Zim one way or the other.

More dingers?

[Tyler Durden]

I still struggle with the Zimmerman/Fielder thing.  If it's about money and they can only keep one, why would they choose the more expensive one in FA?  If it's not about money, or if they're already planning on a Zim exit strategy, why is the Fielder signing relevant?  It's not like they aren't already preparing a plan for Zim one way or the other.

If they don't sign Prince and let Zim walk, the payroll would shrink to ridiculous levels.  Like lowest in MLB levels.

If they replace Zim at 3B with Rendon and Zim's salary with Fielder, the Nats could conceivably be a lot better off - Zim+Fielder is good but very expensive; Rendon+Fielder could be very good but much less expensive.

[PebbleBall]

If they don't sign Prince and let Zim walk, the payroll would shrink to ridiculous levels.  Like lowest in MLB levels.

If they replace Zim at 3B with Rendon and Zim's salary with Fielder, the Nats could conceivably be a lot better off - Zim+Fielder is good but very expensive; Rendon+Fielder could be very good but much less expensive.

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. 

[comish4lif]

I still struggle with the Zimmerman/Fielder thing.  If it's about money and they can only keep one, why would they choose the more expensive one in FA?  If it's not about money, or if they're already planning on a Zim exit strategy, why is the Fielder signing relevant?  It's not like they aren't already preparing a plan for Zim one way or the other.

For one reason, the Nats would have Zimm and Fielder thru 2013. If they win now, they'll either have the money to extend Zimmerman, or enough goodwill to let him walk and sign elsewhere. If they sign Prince and don't win, well, that'd suck, but at least they tried and spent some real money in the effort....

[Lintyfresh85]

Can we please make sure that Rendon is at least able to throw a baseball before we get hard at the thought of him replacing Zimm in short order?

[InsaneBoost]

@holdenradio Huge news Wednesday, folks. Huge news a comin'.

Fielder to D.C ???

https://twitter.com/#!/Holdenradio/status/154419106194530304

[PC]

Can we please make sure that Rendon is at least able to throw a baseball before we get hard at the thought of him replacing Zimm in short order?

I agree.  It would be nice to actually see Rendon play in a professional baseball game sometime...

[JMW IV]

Can we please make sure that Rendon is at least able to throw a baseball before we get hard at the thought of him replacing Zimm in short order?

this.

[JMW IV]

I agree.  It would be nice to actually see Rendon play in a professional baseball game sometime...

and this.

[Nathan]

Fielder to D.C ???

https://twitter.com/#!/Holdenradio/status/154419106194530304

Who is that and how do you know he's referring to MLB?

[JMW IV]

LaRoche uncertain about future in Washington
Fielder rumors raise possibility veteran might not return

"All I can tell you is, I don't hold any grudges either way. If [Fielder doesn't sign with the Nationals] and I'm the guy, I'll be out there every day and [will] do everything I possibly can. If it does [happen] and I need to move on -- hey -- it's a business move. They are trying to put the best possible team on the field. I think they feel like their time is now to get to the top of the division. Hopefully, I'll be a part of it. If not, that's life."

http://washington.nationals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120103&content_id=26259330&vkey=news_was&c_id=was

thats Boobula Lardyrucker

[DPMOmaha]

Professional answer from LaRoche.

[RobDibblesGhost]

Who is that and how do you know he's referring to MLB?

Holden Kushner works for 106.7 the Fan and MLB Network Radio. 

[Nathan]

Holden Kushner works for 106.7 the Fan and MLB Network Radio. 

Werd.

[wpa2629]

Professional answer from LaRoche.

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

[The Chief]

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

That's worth at least 5 wins

[Squab]

That's worth at least 5 wins

SIGN PRINCE!!!

[Bloo]

I'm not interested in preserving the status quo; I want to overthrow it.
-Niccolo Machiavelli
The Prince

[PowerBoater69]

Fielder to D.C ???

https://twitter.com/#!/Holdenradio/status/154419106194530304

That's called a teaser and those things never live up to the hype.  If he had a real scoop he'd go live with it immediately before someone else gets the info.

[cmdterps44]

Hey guys check this

http://www.wnff.net/index.php?topic=25399.1000;msg=919672

I had a dream that we signed Prince Fielder and that he was here for 6 years and the Nationals made the playoffs every year. He signed the deal on Wednesday, January 4th. Everyone was happy!

You heard it here first.

[Vega]

Hey guys check this

http://www.wnff.net/index.php?topic=25399.1000;msg=919672

You heard it here first.

Never going to happen. Everyone will never be happy about anything.