Rumors: Washington Nationals One Of Three Or Maybe Four Teams Still In On Prince Fielder.
by Patrick Reddington on Jan 23, 2012 1:13 PM EST
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Forget the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Baltimore Orioles are the new new team in the Prince Fielder market.
Actually, they've been mentioned as a potential destination for the so-called "PF Flyer" for some time now. CBSSports.com's Jon Heyman, in a recent MLB Network appearance, mentioned the Baltimore Orioles' interest in the 27-year-old, 5'11, 275 lb slugger and MASNSports.com's Roch Kubatko (@MASNRoch) wrote on Saturday on Twitter that the Orioles were, according to GM Dan Duquette, at least considering the idea of making a run at the still-unsigned free agent first baseman.
MLB Network Radio host Jim Duquette (@JimDuquette), cousin of the O's GM, wrote on Twitter this morning that the, "Orioles are definitely in on PF - it remains to be seen if they'll go to the 'magic' number. But there's plenty of motivation to sign him." What that "magic number" is who knows?
As we noted yesterday in the previous rumor roundup, Boston Globe writer Nick Cafardo wrote in his Sunday Baseball Notes column that the big question in the race to add the HR-hitting, high-OBP, middle-of-the-order bat was, "Who will give Fielder seven years?" Mr. Cafardo made no mention of the O's as a team with interest, but Mr. Duquette, in a follow-up Tweet provided several reasons why the Orioles might get involved, writing, "Reasons for O's to sign PF over Nats- 1. He's wicked good. 2. Get back fans that left them for the Nats. 3. Keep tv interest [higher] than Nats." That's interesting? Signing Prince Fielder to stick it to the Nationals? Really? Next rumor.
FOXSports.com's Ken Rosenthal's (@Ken_Rosenthal) too wrote this afternoon that this could be an O's vs Nats battle, suggesting that, "Presence of #Orioles in Fielder derby, as reported by @Jim_Duquette, could set up O's vs. #Nationals, giving Boras leverage he needs." Mr. Rosenthal then added that, "One GM told me last night that #Rangers are on Fielder "hard" but others continue to say TEX won't go heavy on years. We shall see."
CBSSports.com's Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) says the O's and Nats aren't alone in the market for Fielder, writing on Twitter that there are, "multiple teams still in on Prince but appears field has been narrowed to something close to a final 4." USA Today's Bob Nightengale (@BobNightengale) says it's three teams, or maybe more, writing on Twitter that, "The Nationals are finalist for Prince Fielder, but the #Rangers and at least one other still in running, sources close to Fielder say."
All this chatter, of course, comes after an unsubstantiated report last night that said the Nationals and Fielder had agreed on a deal. (No, I'm not linking to that report even if it ends up being right.) MLB Network Radio host Jim Bowden (@JimBowdenESPNXM) looked into the report and wrote that his sources told him, "The Nationals continue to work on a deal for Prince Fielder...BUT THERE IS NO DEAL repeat NO DEAL as of tonight." As of this afternoon, there's still no deal, but plenty of rumors. Are the O's the mystery team Boras needed to leverage interested teams? Are the Rangers really involved in spite of their own public protestations to the contrary? Are the Nationals in on Fielder in spite of their recent silence on the matter? Will much-maligned owners like Frank McCourt and Peter Angelos actually spend BIG this winter to bring Fielder to their respective homes? Will this ever end?
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Signing Prince Fielder to stick it to the Nationals? Really? Next rumor.
Does it really seem that outlandish? Obviously signing him would primarily be for the fact that he’s a BAMF, but if there is that little extra incentive…I’m not sure that Petey isn’t thinking about that too. Let’s remember who we’re talking about here.
"It’s hard to be good. It’s easy to not be good." -Coach Turgeon
right, it would seem outlandish for anyone else to do it
Yeah, well, you know, that's just like, uh, your opinion man
Sorry, sounds more to me like a team getting used for leverage...
I can’t see Prince going to a rebuilding team, whether it’s the O’s or Mariners. More dismissive of the list of reasons than the idea of Baltimore being interested though admittedly.
Vivian Jaffe: "Have you ever transcended space and time?"
Albert Markovski: "Yes. No. Uh, time, not space... No, I don't know what you're talking about."
by Patrick Reddington on Jan 23, 2012 1:42 PM EST up reply actions
Are the Nats not considered a rebuilding team now?
That would be nice.
"I'm going to run. You can't stop me. I'm going to run even if I don't get a single vote!." Willie Stark, All The King's Men
by kingfishfarms on Jan 23, 2012 1:45 PM EST up reply actions
I think most national writers believe the Nats are on the verge of contention
Whether that means they are still “rebuilding” is unknown. The best teams are always “rebuilding” even while they are “winning”.
Rob
--"Well my days of not taking you seriously are certainly coming to a middle." -- Mal Reynolds
by RobBobS on Jan 23, 2012 2:33 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I feel like Rizzo is playing this right. He knows Fielder won’t want to go to a situation like Baltimore or Seattle. If he does, then good for Prince and his bank account. If he wants to win some games, it’s pretty much down to the Rangers and the Nats.
If he wants to win this year, that is.
Even one year ago, few free agents would have ever considered the Nats a potential winner this soon. I doubt the O’s will turn around any time soon, but the M’s may turn around faster than expected.
The M's have a similar problem to the O's ... well, more like the Blue Jays
The Angels and the Rangers are going to be very tough the next 3-4 years. Even with the A’s (and eventually the Astros) to beat up on, the Mariners are likely fighting for 3rd place and hopefully a 2nd wild card entry for a few years.
It’s not like the O’s, who are staring up at two big money teams and two teams that are among the best talent developers in the sport. The O’s are going to have trouble getting out of 5th place for the next couple of years even with the PF Flyer.
What's
the precedence on how late in the off-season some of the other (recent) big name free agents have signed big long-term (4 and up years) FA deals? Just wondering how long this could realistically drag out.
NYT Tyler Kepner talked about it some in yesterday's article...
LINK: “Boras has found deals worth more than $100 million in January — for Carlos Beltran and Matt Holliday — but never this late.”
Vivian Jaffe: "Have you ever transcended space and time?"
Albert Markovski: "Yes. No. Uh, time, not space... No, I don't know what you're talking about."
by Patrick Reddington on Jan 23, 2012 1:50 PM EST up reply actions
Dodgers could be sold soon
It seems today is the ‘soft deadline’ for offers from potential new owners. Could Boras be waiting to see how that all shakes out so that he could get the new owners in on the bidding? He’s waited this long, what’s a few more weeks.
I agree that the O’s stuff is BS. Boras loves using league sources to get his message out, and his message is – pony up more loot, Ted.
Pete Kerzel has also relayed the latest Upton rumors – that the Rays have him on the block and want a SS in return. I’d flip 4 years of Desmond for one of Upton in a heartbeat. While Upton’s not a leadoff guy, neither is Ian.
We Aim to Maim - JoseRijo es mi Amigo aka court
Halfway through an Upton article too coincidentally. The fake rumors last night...
…kept me from finishing.
Vivian Jaffe: "Have you ever transcended space and time?"
Albert Markovski: "Yes. No. Uh, time, not space... No, I don't know what you're talking about."
by Patrick Reddington on Jan 23, 2012 1:58 PM EST up reply actions
If it was that simple, it would have been done already.
Rizzo wants him, and the Rays want rid of him, but they’re waaaaaay too far apart in their expectations for the deal to get done. I suspect the Rays are overvaluing him, or else he’d already be traded.
I wonder how much leeway MLB will give the Dodgers while they are in this period of transition
Signing Fielder after the bids are made (but before the “winner” is announced) changes the value of the team, and may not be legal. At least, it doesn’t SOUND legal.
Rob
--"Well my days of not taking you seriously are certainly coming to a middle." -- Mal Reynolds
my guess it would depend on two factors
1) new ownership might like the deal. This is pretty likely, since presumably if they’re buying an big market MLB team they’re willing to spend money. So what’s the harm? McCourt loses out on higher bid money, boo hoo.
2) new ownership does not like the deal, but it was understood in the bidding process this might happen.
Rosenthal on Zim deal:
@Ken_Rosenthal: “Source: #Nationals know Zimmerman’s price. Story here: ”http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/mlbbuzz/sources_nationals_know_zimmermans_price/9534704" target="_blank">http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/mlbbuzz/sources_nationals_know_zimmermans_price/9534704 #MLB"
Vivian Jaffe: "Have you ever transcended space and time?"
Albert Markovski: "Yes. No. Uh, time, not space... No, I don't know what you're talking about."
by Patrick Reddington on Jan 23, 2012 2:13 PM EST reply actions
Boo... -10 pts.
Vivian Jaffe: "Have you ever transcended space and time?"
Albert Markovski: "Yes. No. Uh, time, not space... No, I don't know what you're talking about."
by Patrick Reddington on Jan 23, 2012 2:14 PM EST up reply actions
Cot's sez...
that Zimm is due $14M, not $13M, in 2013.
Rob
--"Well my days of not taking you seriously are certainly coming to a middle." -- Mal Reynolds
I'm sure someone will tell him, the internet likes correcting folks...
Vivian Jaffe: "Have you ever transcended space and time?"
Albert Markovski: "Yes. No. Uh, time, not space... No, I don't know what you're talking about."
by Patrick Reddington on Jan 23, 2012 2:40 PM EST up reply actions
Speaking of erroneous reports, I can't believe how many people...
Are retweeting the @MLBInsideNews reports. Half the baseball world thinks Prince has already signed.
Vivian Jaffe: "Have you ever transcended space and time?"
Albert Markovski: "Yes. No. Uh, time, not space... No, I don't know what you're talking about."
by Patrick Reddington on Jan 23, 2012 2:41 PM EST up reply actions
Yeah, I heard Prince himself has bought a house here in Arlington already
Rob
--"Well my days of not taking you seriously are certainly coming to a middle." -- Mal Reynolds
No that place is only for Ovie's entourage.
Prince would want to be with Ovie in Arlington, much closer to the ballpark.
Aim for the head baby Jesus
I believe the only thing that reporter breaks
… is wind.
Brain: "Pinky, are you pondering what i'm pondering?"
Pinky: "Yes, ... wait, ... no, ... never mind"
by jbg2772 on Jan 23, 2012 2:51 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
You mean "people on the internet like correcting folks", I'm sure.
Rob
--"Well my days of not taking you seriously are certainly coming to a middle." -- Mal Reynolds
Yeah, yeah, the people...
The internet isn’t alive…yet.
#i’mafearedofskynet
Vivian Jaffe: "Have you ever transcended space and time?"
Albert Markovski: "Yes. No. Uh, time, not space... No, I don't know what you're talking about."
by Patrick Reddington on Jan 23, 2012 2:46 PM EST up reply actions
It's guys like "InsideInfo" that will eventually cause the internets to rise up against us
For our own good.
Rob
--"Well my days of not taking you seriously are certainly coming to a middle." -- Mal Reynolds
has anybody queried SkyNet lately to see what fielder's magic number is?
Yeah, well, you know, that's just like, uh, your opinion man
Best check
with EyesOnly
Brain: "Pinky, are you pondering what i'm pondering?"
Pinky: "Yes, ... wait, ... no, ... never mind"
Maybe Zim's extension is on hold...
until after the Prince thing is sorted out so that they can structure his deal around that of Prince? Wishfully thinking probably.
The funny thing is that Angelos would profit (maybe more) from Prince going to the Nats because it would help MASN. I think Angelos is the kind of guy that would just assume let the Lerners pay Prince and cash in on the TV ratings than fork out that kind of money himself.
We Aim to Maim - JoseRijo es mi Amigo aka court
Before I said that it makes sense for the O's to pursue him
but now that I think about it, any offer that the O’s make that Fielder eventually agrees to will turn out to be a huge bust for them. He’ll contribute, but they’ll still lose, and the bump in the fan base when they win 73 games instead of 69 will do them no good at all.
Rob
--"Well my days of not taking you seriously are certainly coming to a middle." -- Mal Reynolds
Orioles are about jacking up the price
Boras is using the Orioles like the Nats with Teixeira. No real chance of signing, but useful in bumping up the price. Plus, with the Nats hitting Ange-lose is the pocketbook with the MASN negotiations, he wants to stick it to the Lerners as much as he can.
MLBinsideNews back at again despite being shot down
MLBInsideNews Scott Swaim
Fielder to be in DC tonight to finalize deal.
1 hour ago
at least he isn't retreating.
You guys. You lollygag the ball around the infield. You lollygag your way down to first. You lollygag in and out of the dugout. You know what that makes you? Larry!
Gotta admit
the specificity of this rumor is intriguing. But it’s hard to believe he’s got something this juicy when everyone else says it’s just not true.
Rob
--"Well my days of not taking you seriously are certainly coming to a middle." -- Mal Reynolds
IMHO he's got a strong rumor and he's betting on it so he can be "first"
I read somewhere – possibly here – that he “broke” the Pujols story 12 hours before he actually signed, and is now saying he broke it first. Might be the same situation here. After all, people have short memories, so if he’s right he can remind people in his sh***y little bio, and if he’s wrong everyone will still follow him next time because we love rumors.
If we get the PF Flyer...
If we sign Prince, should the Nats trade LaRoche for a bag of peanuts to the Tigers since they need a DH/1B with V-Mart out or use him as the hairy chested left handed bat off the bench and late inning defensive replacement?
Eventually. Think the general consensus is he has to at least prove he's healthy before he has any value...
Even when you’re trying to give him away.
Vivian Jaffe: "Have you ever transcended space and time?"
Albert Markovski: "Yes. No. Uh, time, not space... No, I don't know what you're talking about."
by Patrick Reddington on Jan 23, 2012 3:24 PM EST up reply actions
Who came up with the "PF Flyer" nickname?
It sounds suspiciously like the work of Ladson, who I think to this day feeds on his resent that nobody liked his “Speed Racer” moniker for Bernadina.
Rob
--"Well my days of not taking you seriously are certainly coming to a middle." -- Mal Reynolds
Boras to Kilgore.
Vivian Jaffe: "Have you ever transcended space and time?"
Albert Markovski: "Yes. No. Uh, time, not space... No, I don't know what you're talking about."
by Patrick Reddington on Jan 23, 2012 3:29 PM EST up reply actions
Here it is:
"’As I’ve told many, there’s a lot of passengers on the PF Flyer,’ Boras said." LINK
And it should be “there are”, Scott. Grammar, Super Agent, Grammar!!
Vivian Jaffe: "Have you ever transcended space and time?"
Albert Markovski: "Yes. No. Uh, time, not space... No, I don't know what you're talking about."
by Patrick Reddington on Jan 23, 2012 3:31 PM EST up reply actions
Yes but this entire web site FAILS........
on JZIMM……….Zim[n] :O(
Please expand
do you not like how posters shorthand the difference between Ryan Zimmerman and Jordan Zimmermann? quelle dommage.
Brain: "Pinky, are you pondering what i'm pondering?"
Pinky: "Yes, ... wait, ... no, ... never mind"
Right, silent "N"..........
Except I talk……………..BASEBALL……….
JZIMM……Say it with me………
+silent"n"
Vivian Jaffe: "Have you ever transcended space and time?"
Albert Markovski: "Yes. No. Uh, time, not space... No, I don't know what you're talking about."
by Patrick Reddington on Jan 23, 2012 4:24 PM EST up reply actions
I assume you mean trade LaRoche along with his salary for a bag of peanuts.
If the Nats are not ridding themselves of his salary why would they want to trade him and get nothing in return?
Fielder of Dreams
If you pay him, he will come.
by CapsVT on Jan 23, 2012 3:30 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
OK, this looks kinda creepy, but I couldn't resist
Rob
--"Well my days of not taking you seriously are certainly coming to a middle." -- Mal Reynolds
by RobBobS on Jan 23, 2012 3:54 PM EST up reply actions 3 recs
Aww.
It’s broken.
Rob
--"Well my days of not taking you seriously are certainly coming to a middle." -- Mal Reynolds
when you rec'd it
or when you wreck’ed it?
Brain: "Pinky, are you pondering what i'm pondering?"
Pinky: "Yes, ... wait, ... no, ... never mind"
The dude with the Fielder rumors...
says that Dipoto is interested in LaRoche out in LA. Gratuitious mention of salt grains of course.
We Aim to Maim - JoseRijo es mi Amigo aka court
#goodluckthrillieharris
Vivian Jaffe: "Have you ever transcended space and time?"
Albert Markovski: "Yes. No. Uh, time, not space... No, I don't know what you're talking about."
by Patrick Reddington on Jan 23, 2012 3:48 PM EST up reply actions
reply fail...
Vivian Jaffe: "Have you ever transcended space and time?"
Albert Markovski: "Yes. No. Uh, time, not space... No, I don't know what you're talking about."
by Patrick Reddington on Jan 23, 2012 3:48 PM EST up reply actions
That I really really can't see
California’s overflowing with 1B (Pujols, Kendrys Morales, Howie Kendrick)/DH (aforementioned plus Abreu, Wells). If anything they should be shedding first basemen.
I believe I smell more than rumors “breaking” from that source…
Brain: "Pinky, are you pondering what i'm pondering?"
Pinky: "Yes, ... wait, ... no, ... never mind"
Dodgers, not Angels
sorry, forgot the Angels changed their name
We Aim to Maim - JoseRijo es mi Amigo aka court
Ah. I was confused by the "Dipoto" reference.
Dodgers’ guy is “Colletti”.
Rob
--"Well my days of not taking you seriously are certainly coming to a middle." -- Mal Reynolds
My mistake
The dude’s theory was that Dipoto liked LaRoche from his Dbacks days, but I had in my head Dipoto was the new Dodgers GM, not Angels. So, yes, the guy said LaRoche to the Angels, which makes no sense at all and further undermines the Prince-to-Nats thing.
My bad.
We Aim to Maim - JoseRijo es mi Amigo aka court
That makes zero sense
You guys. You lollygag the ball around the infield. You lollygag your way down to first. You lollygag in and out of the dugout. You know what that makes you? Larry!
A moment of silence, please
As it seems that Willie “the Thrill” Harris has gone … to Cincinnati on a minor league deal.
No silence here.
YAY! Glad to see he’s off the market and so there is no real chance he winds up back on the Nats.
He had a few moments for us, sure, but we are better than that now.
If you don't eat your meat, you can't have any pudding! How can you have any pudding if you don't eat your meat?!
those moments, few and far between as they were, were pretty darn amazing
Yeah, well, you know, that's just like, uh, your opinion man
moar rumorz off the ticker
@sbnationdc: @Ken_Rosenthal reports #Nats “within reach” of new deal of Zim. http://sbn.to/wlFADj
Yeah, well, you know, that's just like, uh, your opinion man
That's what Rizzo has been waiting for.
He’s planning to announce the both the Zimmerman extension and the Fielder signing at the same press conference. Then he will point to his head.
Aim for the head baby Jesus
should this come to pass, the assembled press corp will be pointing to his head
Yeah, well, you know, that's just like, uh, your opinion man
But then he'll look at those extra 6K season tickets sold,
and say “well that worked out OK.”
Rob
--"Well my days of not taking you seriously are certainly coming to a middle." -- Mal Reynolds
A Nationals team that was good.
That could sell out a decent share of games, and without the “buy two get two free” season ticket deal that they have now, or the other really cheap promotions they have, would make enough money for the deal to work out regardless of if the Nats ever won a WS. I’m sure Boras has mentioned this, but I can’t remember if anyone on this sight has. Having an African American player as your best and highest paid player would probably have a significant marketing benefit for the Nats, who have been drawing mainly from the suburbs for their attendance so far. On another level, it’s also a reason Fielder would want to be here, this area has a much higher concentration of wealthy black people than most other cities.
Aim for the head baby Jesus
Zim hands Fielder first jersey, Fielder hands Zim big check.
Vivian Jaffe: "Have you ever transcended space and time?"
Albert Markovski: "Yes. No. Uh, time, not space... No, I don't know what you're talking about."
by Patrick Reddington on Jan 23, 2012 4:05 PM EST up reply actions
i LOVE the oversized check
love it.
Your voice of doom and gloom. Read more at www.DistrictSportsPage.com
"Nobody’s got a monopoly on good writing, or the facts. If you can come up with one or the other or (ideally) both, you’re in the club." --Rob Neyer, Feb. 2, 2011
by Dave at District Sports Page on Jan 23, 2012 4:16 PM EST up reply actions
Strasburg and Harper stand in the background smiling,
Knowing that like Zimmerman, they too will spend their entire careers in DC.
Aim for the head baby Jesus
Sickels ranks farm systems
14) Washington Nationals: The big trade with Oakland tore the top off this farm system. You still have Bryce Harper and some interesting players in the B- range. Would have ranked much higher without the trade.
A fair grade - about where they were last year, actually
I guess the “big four” from the 2011 draft was good enough to offset the loss of the “Nat Gio four.”
I would think so.
Rendon was most likely a steal in the draft. Purke could be an even bigger steal if he ever gets healthy. If both were healthy they would have gone 1-2 in the draft and most likely both been in the majors after the super2 deadline.
Aim for the head baby Jesus
That one word "if"
should be in 48-size font.
Brain: "Pinky, are you pondering what i'm pondering?"
Pinky: "Yes, ... wait, ... no, ... never mind"
Purke is a huge question I admit,
but a minor shoulder injury shouldn’t hurt Rendon much, especially if he is moved to second, which would put much less strain on his arm.
Aim for the head baby Jesus
I'd say that's fair
‘11 draft class probably has more talent but is further away. Plus our rotation ’ranks’ much higher.
We Aim to Maim - JoseRijo es mi Amigo aka court
It was probably a combo of
the four the Nats drafted and prospects just doing better overall, IMO. I don’t think anyone expected Peacock (lost) or Lombardozzi (kept) to be where they are one year after last.
come on, Nats, get it done
Around the corner,
Or whistling down the river,
Come on, deliver
To me!
Will it be? Yes, it will.
Maybe just by holding still,
It’ll be there!
Come on, something, come on in, don’t be shy,
Meet a guy,
Pull up a chair!
The air is humming,
And something great is coming!
Who knows?
It’s only just out of reach,
Down the block, on a beach,
Maybe tonight . . .
by gengreen17 on Jan 23, 2012 4:15 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
the first time I saw in a theater, I sat through the whole thing twice
that was a long time ago ;<)
I was actually IN a production a few years ago
I was a jet. We had a professional fight choreographer to block the rumble and a couple of other scenes. That was FUN!
The Sharks and the Jets are both hockey teams, lets keep this to baseball.
Aim for the head baby Jesus
When you're a Nat ...
… you’re a Nat all the way. From your first Broken Bat to your last Double Play.
by DaRube on Jan 23, 2012 7:04 PM EST up reply actions 4 recs
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