Fielder

[The Chief]

I would love for them to spend $200 mil a year on payroll. 

It's probably not going to happen, no matter how many times I write LAC on here.  In the meantime, if it makes people feel better to write LAC while the team tries to improve in whatever ways it can based on the payroll parameters laid down by the ownership, then that's fine too.

Alright I'll try again, with no sarcasm and no smilies:

If we are really stuck choosing between Fielder and Zimmerman, 5 years from now won't matter because all of the players that are making us a potential playoff team now will be long gone, and you don't replace two once-in-a-generation talents with a substandard payroll limit.  Ever.  Add the new draft rules to that and this may be the only window the Nats EVER get with this ownership.

[MarquisDeSade]

In the meantime, if it makes people feel better to write LAC while the team tries to improve in whatever ways it can based on the payroll parameters laid down by the ownership, then that's fine too.

So, the Lerners are Cheap by your own admission, but you think people pointing that out are insane?

[Tyler Durden]

That's fine if Zim continues to decline in performance and/or health, but why can't you just accept that there's no reason we should have to remain a sub-average payroll team if he doesn't? 

It's funny that you nag about making the mistake of engaging and then post crap like this, so here ya go, just for you:

No, wait...

What does it mean not to accept it?  Posting LAC or giant eye rolling smilies?  Picketing outside the ballpark?

Not being a fan anymore is out of the question for me and I enjoy thinking about how the Nats might be able to improve themselves.  If they have to try to improve themselves while maintaining  a low payroll, then that sucks but it is what it is. 

If others enjoy talking about how cheap the Lerners are, then have at it. 

[zimm_da_kid]

What does it mean not to accept it?  Posting LAC or giant eye rolling smilies?  Picketing outside the ballpark?

Not being a fan anymore is out of the question for me and I enjoy thinking about how the Nats might be able to improve themselves.  If they have to try to improve themselves while maintaining  a low payroll, then that sucks but it is what it is. 

If others enjoy talking about how cheap the Lerners are, then have at it. 

let's do it

[The Chief]

If others enjoy talking about how cheap the Lerners are, then have at it. 

Have you ever fought to change anything or do you just roll over and accept every crappy thing that happens to you?  That should answer your question.

[MarquisDeSade]

If others enjoy talking about how cheap the Lerners are, then have at it.

I give up.  You're totally and completely lost in this discussion.

[Tyler Durden]

Have you ever fought to change anything or do you just roll over and accept every crappy thing that happens to you?  That should answer your question.

What does my personal life have to do with being a fan of a sports team?

And what have the loudest complainers about the Lerners done?

[The Chief]

What does my personal life have to do with being a fan of a sports team?

So you're a professional fan?  That sounds like a sweet gig, how'd you come by it?

[The Chief]

And what have the loudest complainers about the Lerners done?

You'd have to ask them, I'm not up into everyone else's business.  Personally I vote with my wallet and my time.

[Lintyfresh85]

And what have the loudest complainers about the Lerners done?

Pushed the Gio deal through.

[zimm_da_kid]

So you're a professional fan?  That sounds like a sweet gig, how'd you come by it?

speaking of professional fans I would kill to spend a year in the fancave

[Tyler Durden]

So you're a professional fan?  That sounds like a sweet gig, how'd you come by it?

I honestly don't know what you mean by this.

You'd have to ask them, I'm not up into everyone else's business.  Personally I vote with my wallet and my time.

OK - you've made your choice.  I have not made that choice - I enjoy going to baseball games.  It's a form of entertainment to me - not some reflection of my personal life and rolling over when things don't go my way.

[blue911]

speaking of professional fans I would kill to spend a year in the fancave

If you have to kill somebody, make it Chase Utley please

[Lintyfresh85]

speaking of professional fans I would kill to spend a year in the fancave

I don't know... you seem like you have to be a massive douche to get selected for the spot.

You don't want to be that guy!

Though, if I didn't have to be a d-bag to get the spot... I'd love to share it with you. Wall to wall baseball... can't beat that!

[The Chief]

I honestly don't know what you mean by this.

I didn't think I could be much clearer.  Being a fan is part of your personal life.

OK - you've made your choice.  I have not made that choice - I enjoy going to baseball games.  It's a form of entertainment to me - not some reflection of my personal life and rolling over when things don't go my way.

Actually you're the one who's rolling over by simply accepting that running the team on a perpetual below-average payroll and lucking into a playoff appearance here and there is somehow acceptable.  I and many others have higher expectations.

[JMW IV]

I would love for them to spend $200 mil a year on payroll. 

I would be happy with 85-90.

[zoom]

Cripes, did any of you notice Nats4ever's post?  It's about Fielder.  Give it a look......PLEASE!

[Tyler Durden]

I didn't think I could be much clearer.  Being a fan is part of your personal life.

Actually you're the one who's rolling over by simply accepting that running the team on a perpetual below-average payroll and lucking into a playoff appearance here and there is somehow acceptable.  I and many others have higher expectations.

Again - what does it mean not to accept it?  Not being a fan anymore?  Not running a message board called Washington Nationals Fan Forum?

[PowerBoater69]

Think he got a bowl of soup with it?

More likely some Cocoa Puffs.

[The Chief]

Talks are heating up again according to Pete Kerzel

http://www.masnsports.com/nationals_buzz/2012/01/nationals-fielder-still-talking-about-deal.html

You mean this one?  Much ado about nothing, which is why nobody said much about it, I'm guessing.

[The Chief]

Again - what does it mean not to accept it?

Your question answers itself.  It means I don't accept it, unlike you, apparently.  It means I don't pretend we need to meet some imaginary salary cap when considering free agents, draft picks, player extensions, or whatever.  It means that if the team sucks due to constant underspending, I save my gas, food, and ticket money and put them toward a more worthy cause.  It means that I don't stop letting anyone who will listen know that I am displeased with the team's fiscal policies no matter how some people may be tired of hearing about it.

Not running a message board called Washington Nationals Fan Forum?

I'm not sure exactly what you're attempting to insinuate here, but the only way this board is going down is if people stop coming here.  Seems to me that's up to the team.

[Squab]

From mlbtr concerning the rangers.
Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel tweets that the Rangers were impressed with how trim and fit Fielder looked in their meeting yesterday.

Nolan Ryan says the Rangers' meeting with Fielder yesterday was just to see where he was at in the free agent process, tweets Anthony Andro of FOX Sports Southwest. Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star Telegram also tweets that the talks were preliminary.

[Tyler Durden]

Your question answers itself.  It means I don't accept it, unlike you, apparently.

Alright.  Truce.

And you're right.  I have come to accept it.  Despite the owners' unwillingness to really spend on the team, I continue to go to games and support the team.  The cheapness is just something that I may have to live with going forward. 

So, anyway, despite all of that, I still think it makes sense to sign Fielder if he'll come here on a reasonable deal.  If it means they have to trade Zim, then even that it still might make sense.

[Lintyfresh85]

Alright.  Truce.

And you're right.  I have come to accept it.  Despite the owners' unwillingness to really spend on the team, I continue to go to games and support the team.  The cheapness is just something that I may have to live with going forward. 

So, anyway, despite all of that, I still think it makes sense to sign Fielder if he'll come here on a reasonable deal.  If it means they have to trade Zim, then even that it still might make sense.

As said by multiple reporters, any normal team can easily handle both.

Even Jim Bowden says the Lerners have the money.

[Terpfan76]

Sign Prince.

Perhaps if we threw in a little red Corvette it would sweeten the pot just enough?