Fielder

[InsaneBoost]

Jerry Crasnick just said we're the best bet for Fielder on ESPN News.

[Baseball is Life]

Well a 1 year deal would enable him to hit the market again in a year when it will presumably have more teams needing first basemen.    So it's not an entirely irrational decision if he gets a nice fat 1 year deal, and it may have nothing to do with choosing a team he likes or avoiding one he doesn't.

And he will be one year older. And who's to say he won't have an off year or get hurt?

He signs a one-year deal only if he has absolutely nothing else on the table. If he does that, then this will go down as Boras's epic fail.

[Baseball is Life]

I agree and I NEVER agree with you!

Well, now you can say RARELY EVER.:~)

But, really, do we want a guy here who doesn't really want to be here? That's why I wasn't that bent out of shape when Tex signed with the Yankees.

[natsfan4evr]

And he will be one year older. And who's to say he won't have an off year or get hurt?

He signs a one-year deal only if he has absolutely nothing else on the table. If he does that, then this will go down as Boras's epic fail.

You are so on point in this thread.
Boras is already in hot water for screwing up Madson's deal...There is ZERO chance he goes for a 1 year deal for Prince. His client base has already been shrinking, and an offseason like this will only screw him even worse.

[PebbleBall]

If he's willing to take less money to go to the Rangers, then eff him. What are the Nats to do?

I want him here but if he doesn't sign, I will not sweat it a bit.

I wasn't even blaming the Nats, just saying what I think will happen.  In that situation there is nothing they can do.  But you realize no matter what, there will be a line.  If he goes somewhere else for a ton of money, they'd be "smart not to match it," if he goes somewhere smaller money and years, well, "what are the Nats to do?" 

I'm talking out of my ass as much as anybody else and I've said it before, but I think the Nats interest in Fielder has been overblown from the beginning.  They've always been an easy spot for the media to look at because of Boras and the Werth deal, but Rizzo has said all along they're sticking with LaRoche and has even expressed annoyance at the stories. 

Regardless, if it was going to happen here, it would have happened by now.  I would love it if they signed him, it's why I keep coming to this thread.  But at this point I'd say the chances are 0.  It's so obvious, it's the Rangers.  That's why they waited.

[PC]

Let me step back from my previous position slightly.  I'm assuming they're not low-balling him.  I'm assuming 20+ million per year for 5 or 6 years.  I'd go to 6/150.  If that's the case, they should not offer him one more penny.

Of course, why would I assume this FO ISN'T low-balling him?  Have I not been paying attention???

[hammondsnats]

just give him 6 years and $699 million

[InsaneBoost]

just give him 6 years and $699 million

I would prefer 20 years and 1 billion, but that's just me.

[Tyler Durden]

I wasn't even blaming the Nats, just saying what I think will happen.  In that situation there is nothing they can do.  But you realize no matter what, there will be a line.  If he goes somewhere else for a ton of money, they'd be "smart not to match it," if he goes somewhere smaller money and years, well, "what are the Nats to do?" 

I'm talking out of my ass as much as anybody else and I've said it before, but I think the Nats interest in Fielder has been overblown from the beginning.  They've always been an easy spot for the media to look at because of Boras and the Werth deal, but Rizzo has said all along they're sticking with LaRoche and has even expressed annoyance at the stories. 

Regardless, if it was going to happen here, it would have happened by now.  I would love it if they signed him, it's why I keep coming to this thread.  But at this point I'd say the chances are 0.  It's so obvious, it's the Rangers.  That's why they waited.

This makes sense.  I still think it's possible Boras been waiting for the market to develop and hoping he could convince some other team they needed Fielder.    But yeah, what you say makes sense.

I can't see Fielder going to Texas for just one year, though.  That sounds like something Boras may have leaked.

[Five Banners]

At this point, I'd make my last best offer in person to Fielder tomorrow.  If he's not into it, leak that offer publicly and shut the door on further speculation.

[HalfSmokes]

Well a 1 year deal would enable him to hit the market again in a year when it will presumably have more teams needing first basemen.    So it's not an entirely irrational decision if he gets a nice fat 1 year deal, and it may have nothing to do with choosing a team he likes or avoiding one he doesn't.

Angels, Yankees, and Red Sox will still be set, so I'm not sure it helps too much

[Ali the Baseball Cat]

And the Marlins will be blowing up their roster after winning the 2012 WS

Angels, Yankees, and Red Sox will still be set, so I'm not sure it helps too much

[Mattionals]

Rangers can afford both Darvish and Fielder if they choose to...but it will have to be on the "Rangers terms" after Darvish signing.

My guess is Texas wants low price or years.  Nats really could be still in this for a decent timeframe and price.

[shoeshineboy]

Of course Fielder would take less money to play for the Rangers. I don't think there is any real mystery here. Top FAs go after two things - maximum guaranteed money, and the chance to win a ring. Any FA is going to prefer to play for a team that is ready to win it all. But they are going to be swayed by significant money. To be lured by a lesser team, they would need to get a big bump in overall dollars - usually in the form of extra years. That was Werth. The Nats got him because they went beyond the market by probably close  to 20% in contract value. If the difference isn't huge, there is no reason to turn down the contender.

The Rangers have been mentioned as a natural home for Prince since the get go. But Darvish adds a wrinkle. If Darvish isn't a roadblock, they likely would have already signed him. If they don't sign Darvish, they sign Prince. If they do, they don't, and he looks to plan B. If the Nats have an offer equal to the Mariners and Orioles, the Nats have a better chance of getting him, because they could be seen as much closer to contending. If the other suitors offer a Werthesque differential in overall contract, he'll follow the money. 

[cmdterps44]

I really hope the Nats don't freak this up.

[Kevrock]

No. Said he'll go to Texas short term to build value.

He already balked at a one year deal from Milwaukee. The short term deals that I've heard Boras throwing out are the 3 year opt-out clause deals, which would be idiotic -- he's not going to get offered a ton of years when he's 31. A one year deal with Texas might make sense, but I haven't read that as a possibility from Boras' camp.

It sounds like Boras is desperately trying to get the Nats to negotiate themselves. If there's a six year offer on the table with significant AAV on the table, I'd be pissed as hell at Boras if I'm the Nats. 6 years for Prince is already overpaying in years.

Hope the Nats are able to get this done at somewhat reasonable cost.

[Baseball is Life]

  no matter what, there will be a line.  If he goes somewhere else for a ton of money, they'd be "smart not to match it," if he goes somewhere smaller money and years, well, "what are the Nats to do?" 

and if they overpay him there's "they got played by Boras, they were bidding against themselves."

That's why no FO exec in his right mind listens to the fans. You're damned if you do, damned if you don't.

[zoom]

No. Said he'll go to Texas short term to build value.

Linty, would Bowden disclose the parameters of the Nats offer (if he knew it)?  Serious question....i don't follow Bowden at all.

[GburgNatsFan]

+1

and if they overpay him there's "they got played by Boras, they were bidding against themselves."

That's why no FO exec in his right mind listens to the fans. You're damned if you do, damned if you don't.

[Lintyfresh85]

I doubt it. I wrote what he said on air.

[HalfSmokes]

and if they overpay him there's "they got played by Boras, they were bidding against themselves."

That's why no FO exec in his right mind listens to the fans. You're damned if you do, damned if you don't.

true, but an overpay doesn't keeps fans away from the park, losing does

[cmdterps44]

and if they overpay him there's "they got played by Boras, they were bidding against themselves."

That's why no FO exec in his right mind listens to the fans. You're damned if you do, damned if you don't.

It's much better to see that than losing to another bidder by a few millions or lesser deal.

[Baseball is Life]

Of course Fielder would take less money to play for the Rangers. I don't think there is any real mystery here. Top FAs go after two things - maximum guaranteed money, and the chance to win a ring. Any FA is going to prefer to play for a team that is ready to win it all. But they are going to be swayed by significant money. To be lured by a lesser team, they would need to get a big bump in overall dollars - usually in the form of extra years. That was Werth. The Nats got him because they went beyond the market by probably close  to 20% in contract value. If the difference isn't huge, there is no reason to turn down the contender.

The Rangers have been mentioned as a natural home for Prince since the get go. But Darvish adds a wrinkle. If Darvish isn't a roadblock, they likely would have already signed him. If they don't sign Darvish, they sign Prince. If they do, they don't, and he looks to plan B. If the Nats have an offer equal to the Mariners and Orioles, the Nats have a better chance of getting him, because they could be seen as much closer to contending. If the other suitors offer a Werthesque differential in overall contract, he'll follow the money. 

But how much more money do we have to pay vs. Texas. Doesn't he at some point just become not worth it.

We already did that with Werth and we can't afford to do it gain.

[Baseball is Life]

He's more in the know than we will ever be.

How come you never say that about Rizzo. You know, the guy who is actually involved in the negotiations. It seems you never have problems doubting him.

[Mr Clean]

Here' another one:
JonMorosi tweets: Source says Prince Fielder's price must come down for Rangers to afford him.