Team by team analysis of Fielder trade partners

[TooLiveBrew]

My guess would be that the talks probably broke off when the O's realized they have no shot at extending Fielder

[ramssuperbowl99]

My guess would be that the talks probably broke off when the O's realized they have no shot at extending Fielder

Perhaps. Has Scott Boras come out with a figure that Prince would want? I'm assuming the recent Jayson Werth, Mark Teixeria, and Adrian Gonzalez (?) deals have pretty much put Prince in the $140-$160 M category, but I'd still like to see something from the Fielder camp other than dignified silence.

[Patrick425]

It just doesn't sound like there is a ton of interest in Fielder from other clubs at this point. Since the Brewers just made a "win now" trade, I think it would make more sense to start the season with Fielder on the roster and see how things go. If they had to, I think they could trade him at the trade deadline and not get much less in return than what they would get if they traded him now.

[RyDogg66]

The best thing to happen to Doug Melvin's job security is the lack of market for Fielder. It is causing DM to use some prospects to get back pitching (Marcum) without hurting the MLB team. If he isnt careful, it could lead to a team that could contend for something in 2011. Meanwhile, we will have 2 top 15 picks in this years draft to replace the departed prospects and when Fielder leaves after 2011, another 2 picks (albeit numbers 15-30) and a comp pick to replenish again in 2012.

[PrinceEatMeat]

Really when you look at it, there is no point at all to trade Fielder unless we get something back that will have an immediate impact on our club. If we are getting only prospects back that are years away still then we might as well just take the comp picks for him and trade prospects for pitching. I think Doug knows this obviously, which is why he can't find any takers for Prince. No one will give up any major league ready, or near major league ready pitching for him. This isn't a surprise to anyone obviously, but I really don't see Melvin even entertaining trading Prince for prospects until the deadline. That would only be the case if we are out of contention too, and can get some prospects that will help in a year or two, or more than the two prospects we'd get for him anyway. Although, I think if Doug could get 3 or 4 good prospects for him between now and the deadline he might as well do it. I'd rather get a couple more prospects into the system now than wait for the 2 we would get, and have to wait 3 or 4 years for them to develop.

[Invader3K]

Heyman with a sort of update.

 

#brewers resigned they cant sign prince longerm. fielded calls from #chisox, #dodgers, #rangers, others. gauging the market

[kramnoj]

Boras set Prince's price at 8/$200M last year when the Brewers were trying to extend him. I don't see him getting that, but nobody saw Werth's deal either.

[Warning Track Power]

Heyman with a sort of update.

 

#brewers resigned they cant sign prince longerm. fielded calls from #chisox, #dodgers, #rangers, others. gauging the market

If true, what is the best deal we could realistically expect out of each of the three? I still think acquiring legitimate MLB or MLB-ready bats for Fielder isn't the worst thing in the world if Cain can be packaged and flipped for a Marcum-like SP.

 

Could Billingsley be available now that Padilla has been re-signed? Or is it realistic to maybe grab Kemp/Loney for Fielder/McGehee?

[PrinceEatMeat]

Like I said before, Melvin is gonna be looking for someone who can impact the club immediately, so yeah I wouldn't say it's out of the question to target some bats if necessary. Then other players can be flipped for pitching.

[greeg35]

According to my friend the white sox fan, there has been renewed interest in fielder with Konerko looking to sign elsewhere (he heard it on Chicago radio, so grain of salt). They are also looking at Lee on a short deal if Konerko moves.

I offered Fielder/Parra for Floyd/Quentin (hart moves to first base) and he accepted . Was that a good deal? I probably should have asked about Quentin's contract before dealing--I'm such a rookie GM http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif

In seriousness, I still think odds are Fielder stays; but the recent talk of that being likely may have drummed up some renewed interest/motivation for some teams.

[yoyomayoma]

Konerko just re-signed with the White Sox for 3 years 37.5 mil. Now that the Cubs took Pena off the market and Konerko is gone, I would think other teams might jump in. With the Dodgers ownership up in the air, I'm not sure they're the team that's going to get something done. I have a feeling Prince will be back for the full year.

[greeg35]

So much for Chicago radio...as if we needed any more confirmation on that http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif

[brosto1]

I am starting to think that Washington might be the best fit for Prince. They are willing to spend and have worked some big contracts with Boras recently. The only problem they don't match up real well with what Milwaukee wants in return. If a third team could get worked in maybe something could be done. The players that I could see Washington willing to move would be one of their catchers(Flores, Ramos, or Norris), Chris Marrero, Willingham, and Desmond or Espinosa. If they could find a team looking for young catching that might be willing to deal pitching to Milwaukee it might work.

[Warning Track Power]

Puns coming:

 

Haudricourt just tweeted Boras told him Fielder is open to extension talks. It's still just amazing to me to think that someone is willing to pass up the opportunity to be the next Robin Yount in Milwaukee for a few million more per year, with the examples of LeBron, Favre, A-Rod, etc... in the world. I guess being one of the many "princes" in New York, Boston, Los Angeles instead of being the "King" in Milwaukee is worth the extra millions.

[Invader3K]

I think it's condescending for Boras to even suggest Fielder will re-sign with Milwaukee at this point. Everyone knows he won't. I think I would have been sorely tempted to slap Scott Boras if I heard him say that in person.

 

Anyway, it's so obvious he's going to hit free agency, I don't know how he could say this with a straight face.

[craigharmann]

Haudricourt just tweeted Boras told him Fielder is open to extension talks.

Wow.....that's huge! I hope Prince chooses to stay and be the big dog in Milwaukee!

[TooLiveBrew]

I think it's condescending for Boras to even suggest Fielder will re-sign with Milwaukee at this point. Everyone knows he won't. I think I would have been sorely tempted to slap Scott Boras if I heard him say that in person.

 

Well, the market has kind of been set, though. At this point I think both sides have a good idea of what kind of deal it would take to sign Prince, and imo this is Boras recognizing that Prince won't necessarily have an overwhelming amount of suitors next offseason.

[Invader3K]

Maybe that's so, but it's not like the Brewers can afford to give him an Adrian Gonzalez type contract anyway. It just seems pointless to suggest it at this point.

Here's more from Haudricourt with quotes from Boras.I can't read any of it without thinking that Boras is just doing more of his usual big money blow hard routine.

[PrinceEatMeat]

I take it as, sure we're open to extension with the Brewers if they give us the money we want. That is pretty obvious, but it's also obvious that the Brewers can't afford that kind of money. So, all this talk seems pointless to me. It's unlikely anyone will offer anything until the deadline for Prince, and at that point if we're in contention we're better off taking the comp picks. The offers will be similar anyway, so I just don't see the point anymore. We might as well get what we can out of him this year, and hope we contend.

[NievesNoNO]

Invader3K[/b]]I think it's condescending for Boras to even suggest Fielder will re-sign with Milwaukee at this point. Everyone knows he won't. I think I would have been sorely tempted to slap Scott Boras if I heard him say that in person.

 

Anyway, it's so obvious he's going to hit free agency, I don't know how he could say this with a straight face.

I actually kind of agree. It seems like a little bit of a slap in the face. I mean, obviously (I'm assuming here) the Brewers have offered him an extension in the past that they feel they could afford and is fair. I wouldn't be surprised if that is basically a standing offer.

 

On the other hand I suppose it's conceivable that Fielder is seeing some money thrown around and knows he could have his share right now instead of waiting a year and MAAYYBEE he's told Boris to soften his stance some.

 

 

[reillymcshane]

The comments about being willing to work and extension might not be aimed at the Brewers - most people feel the Crew can't afford Fielder beyond 2011 - but at potential trade partners.

 

The comments might be part of a deliberate strategy to signal to teams that Fielder would be open to signing a new megadeal.

 

Such a move would open up teams to working a deal for the trade, and then negotiating a new contract extension for Prince.

 

This could, theoretically, help the Brewers get better offers for Fielder. If they offer a negotiating window with the new team - it might spur some interest.

 

Of course, this only works if Prince truly is open to signing an extension. If it's all smoke, it's just a waste of everyone's time.

[BritInWI]

"There’s obviously what I find attractive information that has occurred over the past couple of weeks about the value of hitters and sluggers," said Boras. "The important thing is the rarity of (sluggers), particularly in the game today. When you have power, teams are going to aggressively pursue and do so with immediacy.

 

"The one thing that I hear is that if anybody in this game is going hit 25 home runs and play defense, you have extreme value. "

 

Translation: Even if Prince has a really sub-par year and only hits 25 home runs and doesn't end up being a DH somewhere next season (note he said "play defense" but didn't say "well"), Boras won't lower the asking price next year.

[brosto1]

I tend to agree with reilly's post that this might not be just aimed at the Brewers, but potential trade targets. Softening their stance on hitting free agency may allow a deal to a team that has some money to spend this year.

[reillymcshane]

If Fielder is open to a new contract, and the Brewers talk to teams with the intention of letting them hammer out an extension, what teams match up at this time? We need teams that the need for Fielder and the money to pay him.

 

I don't see Boston or the Yankees working. The White Sox are out - as are the Cubs (the Brewers would never deal Fielder to the Cubbies anyhow). I also don't see Atlanta or Texas spending $20+ million for a 1B, even though they could use him. Seattle has Smoak and Cust to play 1B and DH. But you never know with them. What about the Washington and Baltimore. What about something around Jordan Zimmerman? I know they like him a lot, and their pitching isn't any good now, but maybe they'd include him for a premier bat.

 

Any other thoughts?

[TooLiveBrew]

Funny that you mention Atlanta. I was just thinking about how they'd be a potential FA suitor for Prince earlier today. I think they'd be able to afford Prince, and obviously he can get his wish of still playing defense by staying in the NL. ATL & CHC are my guesses right now as to where Prince will wind up, I think.

 

EDIT: But I guess you can't rule out WAS, BAL, or anyone else with money to spend & no long-term 1B/DH