Fielder

[Vega]

I wish they'd hurry up and do something, one way or another. I'm sick of my Prince avatar.

[CALSGR8]

I think we're being used.  Seattle has been now mentioned on ESPN.

[Vega]

At least in this case here, if we don't sign Prince, he won't end up on one of the big market teams like the Yanks or Sawks. If we weren't in on him, I'd be thrilled if he signed with Seattle.

[InsaneBoost]

I really hope the Lerner's are not that stupid to let a player like Prince slide away if they indeed have him in talks. We need a player like him here, period. We need a pitcher and a big bat this offseason. We got Gio, now get Prince.

It's one thing to say, "Prince won't come here so were fine with LaRoche," but when you can land the guy, there's no excuse not too, especially when we have the money to do so.. Lerners have pissed me off a lot as a fan, but I've stuck around because I felt thing would get better.

We're now talking playoff contenders or not. They aren't getting any younger so you'd think they'd be more than happy to shed the money to not only increasue the fans in the stands, but also the W's and possible bring the chance of seeing the Nationals in the World Series closer.

[PowerBoater69]

The latest rumor, this one listing a person as the source:

According to a person who seems to always know stuff and is usually right about it -- Ted Lerner made an offer or two he was comfortable with, and went beyond that, and now the Nats are sitting at "take it or leave it".

 www.natsenquirer.com/2012/01/cecil-fielder-thinks-prince-fielder-going-to-washington-nationals-who-cares.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+typepad%2FTheNationalsEnquirer+%28Nats+Enquirer%29

[CALSGR8]

Well the HOF announcement is today, isn't it?  So i doubt anything will be announced to upstage that!

[Mr Clean]

Well the HOF announcement is today, isn't it?  So i doubt anything will be announced to upstage that!

As Roseanne R. says, 'It's always something.'

[MarquisDeSade]

I dress to impress beeyotch.

With a Kenneth Cole bag?  Not really sure who's impressed by that.  Next you're going to start talking about the nice Cole Haans you bought at the outlet store. 

[PebbleBall]

The latest rumor, this one listing a person as the source:

This fits with my interpretation of what's been happening, which is that the Nats aren't as interested in signing Fielder as they are in signing Fielder at a bargain.  There's been a lot of "where else could he go," which is poisonous thinking because while DC might be the best choice for him at a premium price, we are far from the best choice at a bargain price.  If his price falls, it's Milwaukee or a contender miles before it's here.

[Tyler Durden]

This fits with my interpretation of what's been happening, which is that the Nats aren't as interested in signing Fielder as they are in signing Fielder at a bargain.  There's been a lot of "where else could he go," which is poisonous thinking because while DC might be the best choice for him at a premium price, we are far from the best choice at a bargain price.  If his price falls, it's Milwaukee or a contender miles before it's here.

I dont' think he's a 'must' for the Nats.  We'd probably be just as good with LaRoche at 1B and a true leadoff hitter as we would be with Desmond hitting leadoff and Fielder at 1B.  If his options are 8 or 9 years in DC versus 3 years with the Dodgers or Brewers, I hope he doesn't pick us.

[MarquisDeSade]

Unfortunately the only true leadoff hitter that was a FA signed with a division rival and we traded all of our top prospects for a guy that walks a ton of guys.

[wj73]

They just need to sign him before I lose my job cuz I keep checking at work to see if there's any news!!!

[Ray D]

We'd probably be just as good with LaRoche at 1B and a true leadoff hitter as we would be with Desmond hitting leadoff and Fielder at 1B.  I

I agree, in fact I'd say "better off' not "just as good".  But who is this mythical leadoff hitter?

[PowerBoater69]

This fits with my interpretation of what's been happening, which is that the Nats aren't as interested in signing Fielder as they are in signing Fielder at a bargain.  There's been a lot of "where else could he go," which is poisonous thinking because while DC might be the best choice for him at a premium price, we are far from the best choice at a bargain price.  If his price falls, it's Milwaukee or a contender miles before it's here.

I'm going to guess that the Nats have made a very significant offer for Fielder and Boras is trying to get us to bid against ourselves, at some point he will have to accept our offer before it's taken off the table.

[Minty Fresh]

Unfortunately the only true leadoff hitter that was a FA signed with a division rival and we traded all of our top prospects for a guy that walks a ton of guys.

And I'll be you're sooooooooo disappointed . . .     

[MorseMythology]

This fits with my interpretation of what's been happening, which is that the Nats aren't as interested in signing Fielder as they are in signing Fielder at a bargain.  There's been a lot of "where else could he go," which is poisonous thinking because while DC might be the best choice for him at a premium price, we are far from the best choice at a bargain price.  If his price falls, it's Milwaukee or a contender miles before it's here.

Uhhh, the Nats are a contender with Prince in the lineup bro. He's not going to Milwaukee. Even at a bargain price, Milwaukee doesn't have the cash.

[MorseMythology]

Unfortunately the only true leadoff hitter that was a FA signed with a division rival and we traded all of our top prospects for a guy that walks a ton of guys.

A leadoff guy that averages 98 games played a season the last three years!

[Kevrock]

I dont' think he's a 'must' for the Nats.  We'd probably be just as good with LaRoche at 1B and a true leadoff hitter as we would be with Desmond hitting leadoff and Fielder at 1B.  If his options are 8 or 9 years in DC versus 3 years with the Dodgers or Brewers, I hope he doesn't pick us.

Name the magical leadoff hitter. Right. Sign Fielder.

It's not shopping for Fielder at a "bargain" just because we've reached our limit of what we would pay. I hope that we negotiated to 6 years and stopped. Who is going to outbid us?

[MorseMythology]

Seriously, people, a stork isn't going to drop a leadoff hitter in a parachute from the sky like Dumbo. There just isn't one out there.

Next year you can address that.

If you're making the argument that we're better off passing on Fielder this year and going all-out for Michael Bourn next year, that's a fun argument.

As for this year, Desmond is our leadoff guy. Not an ideal situation at all, but our only option right now.

[spidernat]

Unfortunately the only true leadoff hitter that was a FA signed with a division rival and we traded all of our top prospects for a guy that walks a ton of guys.

That's only true from our perspective. 

[PebbleBall]

Uhhh, the Nats are a contender with Prince in the lineup bro.

Agreed, but a current contender like the Rangers should be more appealing if the Nats aren't outbidding them.  Even though he transforms the Nats, it'll never be an easy road in this division.  It's just how I'm thinking about it, but I never said he wouldn't make the Nats a contender.  He would, that's why I want it to happen. 

[Minty Fresh]

I think we can get around the leadoff situation by thinking outside the box and bag the idea of having to have a speedy guy at the top.

Sign Fielder.

[tomterp]

I'm going to guess that the Nats have made a very significant offer for Fielder and Boras is trying to get us to bid against ourselves, at some point he will have to accept our offer before it's taken off the table.

Right.  Nats probably at this point have made the top offer, but one that falls far short of Boras' hope/expectation - hence the impass.  Beat the Nats' offer and Fielder is yours for the taking.  Unfortunately for Fielder, the market has nearly evaporated for him, making him victim of a random fluctuation in the supply / demand calculus.  That's why the mid-contract out clause might be so attractive and remains a key tool in the Nats' chances of attracting him to what would otherwise be a below expectations deal.

[Tyler Durden]

I don't know who the mythical leadoff hitter is.  I know it doesn't have to be a center fielder.  It can be an corner outfielder, maybe one that is overpaid right now.  Torii Hunter, maybe?  He's old and had a down year last year.  Maybe we can squeeze one more decent year out of him.  He's a free agent after the year.

Fukudome would be a good signing.

I'd like to sign Fielder but I'm not in the Fielder or bust camp.

[JMW IV]

I'm going to guess that the Nats have made a very significant offer for Fielder and Boras is trying to get us to bid against ourselves, at some point he will have to accept our offer before it's taken off the table.

this is what seems to be going on.