Prince not going anywhere?

[PrinceEatMeat]

If we decide to keep Fielder right now and don't even try to deal him or listen to offers, I think that's a mistake. Melvin would likely go hard after Greinke with prospects as everyone has mentioned, but I'm not so sure he'd succeed in doing that. If he doesn't, we'd then be sitting here to start the season with virtually the same team, and be completely screwed. Then we'd have to try to trade Fielder at the deadline anyway, and we'd have pretty much no leverage, so we likely wouldn't get as much as we want in return. If we were guaranteed to get Greinke, then I'm all for it. Since we aren't I think we're better off trading Fielder for pitching at this point, because we have no chance to resign him. Keeping Fielder will make no difference at all if we can't find any pitching. It just makes no sense to me really.

[Warning Track Power]

If we were guaranteed to get Greinke, then I'm all for it. Since we aren't I think we're better off trading Fielder for pitching at this point, because we have no chance to resign him. Keeping Fielder will make no difference at all if we can't find any pitching. It just makes no sense to me really.

Agreed. If we were to get Greinke or someone on par with him, I would keep Fielder and see how this season plays out. I immediately would begin long term negotiations with the newly acquired Greinke or equivalent and be content to take the 2 picks for Fielder after this season because signing Greinke/equivalent would almost guarantee Fielder is gone. Additionally, the two picks gained from Fielder would theoretically fill the prospect void created by trading for a Greinke.

 

 

[PrinceEatMeat]

The thing that doesn't add up with all this is the fact that Melvin wants to get Fielder resigned. If he's planning on doing that just hypothetically speaking, there will be no money for any young pitcher that we might acquire, or any pitcher for that matter. So if he wants Greinke and to keep Fielder, the plan would have to be to let Fielder walk, and to me that doesn't seem like something he's content doing. So I just don't see why he won't just deal him now instead of messing around with what happens if he doesn't.

[Invader3K]

I think the "extend Fielder" talk just has to be lip service at this point. Fielder has already turned down two extension offers, so I can't see them realistically hammering something out at this point.

[PrinceEatMeat]

Well, I know that, but then why is Melvin even talking to Fielder? I guess I can see trying to "go for it" by getting Greinke. However, I have to think that our chances of getting him are very slim. Especially, seeing as there are reports saying that we were on his no-trade list last year. Really I see no point in even thinking about keeping Fielder unless we get someone like Greinke. We won't be able to resign Fielder, and I really would rather get a return for him now than at the deadline. I just don't understand why Melvin would even think about keeping Fielder into the season at this point. The only time he should entertain that thought is if it gets more toward the season and he hasn't received any good offers for him yet. With Gonzalez likely off the market for now, I can definitely see some teams making good offers for Fielder.

[Invader3K]

Well, a lot of it is the usual "gamesmanship" on his part. He isn't going to come out and say, "We're taking offers for Fielder now! Get them to me by next week when I have to make a decision!" Remember, Lyle Overbay was traded fairly late in the winter when he was dealt to Toronto. They even used him on that "fashion show" thing on FSN when they unveiled the retro uniforms. Sometimes big trades don't happen until January or even February.

[JohnBriggs12]

Melvin wouldn't be doing his job if he didn't at least inquire about what Boras is thinking following a less than stellar season by Fielder.

 

I don't think this situation compares in any way with Overbay's. They had to move Overbay to make room for Fielder. They have no such can't miss guy ready to take over at 1st base.

 

It's obvious that they aren't getting calls for Fielder. Teams know he's available and have since July. Roenicke has a 2 year contract. He's not going to want his stud 1B sent away in a deal that is going to pay off in 2013, while hurting the team in 2011 and 2012.

[PrinceFielderx1]

I can see the Brewers offering between 130-150 million guaranteed for fielder with an option and that might get Fielder and Boras to listen and consider staying a Brewer. I'm not going to rule it out. I don't think the market is there for him to receive 8/180 like what Boars was asking for. Plus Fielders down year in 2010 makes that even more true. Chances are still not in the Brewers favor, but I do believe the Brewers chances are better than many think. It will be interesting to see what happens.

[TooLiveBrew]

I can see the Brewers offering between 130-150 million guaranteed for fielder with an option and that might get Fielder and Boras to listen and consider staying a Brewer.

 

I just don't think it would be a good business decision for Fielder to not become a free agent. That way he can entertain multiple bids, and theoretically drive his price up. I'd have to guess that anything the Brewers would be willing to offer would, at worst, be met on the open market.

[RockCoCougars]

Well, I know that, but then why is Melvin even talking to Fielder? I guess I can see trying to "go for it" by getting Greinke. However, I have to think that our chances of getting him are very slim. Especially, seeing as there are reports saying that we were on his no-trade list last year. Really I see no point in even thinking about keeping Fielder unless we get someone like Greinke. We won't be able to resign Fielder, and I really would rather get a return for him now than at the deadline. I just don't understand why Melvin would even think about keeping Fielder into the season at this point. The only time he should entertain that thought is if it gets more toward the season and he hasn't received any good offers for him yet. With Gonzalez likely off the market for now, I can definitely see some teams making good offers for Fielder.

Why can't they pay both, especially for next season? Even with raises coming to Hart, Gallardo, Braun and hopefully Weeks, there is a ton of dead money - it has to be somewhere in the range of $20 million at least- coming off the books (even with buyouts) for Suppan, Davis, Bush, Riske, Hoffman, Hall, Zaun and Counsell. If Prince can be re-upped you have four solid offensive pieces in place for a long time. As for the other positions, Cain, Lucroy and Escobar along with the young bullpen guys should be cheap for the next three years at least. McGehee might start to get a little spendy in a few years, but that can be dealt with at the time - not to mention that Gamel is waiting in the wings. Outside of the aforementioned guys, the only one who is expensive is Wolf (who will be in the last year of his contract when a Prince extension would kick in. If they could find a way to keep the four offensive guys intact pick up Greinke to go with Gallardo, hopefully locking him in (you could backend a deal for the season Wolf is still of the books), I wouldn't be upset if these guys took 90% of the total payroll. Assuming Prince would get a little over $20 million, Greinke somewhere in the $15 million range and Weeks a little over $10 million, you'd be looking at a payroll in the $90-95 million range, with Wolf it would be about $100 million in 2013- this is assuming that most of the rest of the roster would average out to $1-$2 million a piece. Would Attanasio do that? I'm not sure

[Invader3K]

Melvin wouldn't be doing his job if he didn't at least inquire about what Boras is thinking following a less than stellar season by Fielder.

 

I don't think this situation compares in any way with Overbay's. They had to move Overbay to make room for Fielder. They have no such can't miss guy ready to take over at 1st base.

 

It's obvious that they aren't getting calls for Fielder. Teams know he's available and have since July. Roenicke has a 2 year contract. He's not going to want his stud 1B sent away in a deal that is going to pay off in 2013, while hurting the team in 2011 and 2012.

My point was that Melvin didn't act like he was in a big rush to deal Overbay. Looking back, he was traded on Dec. 7, 2005, so it wasn't as late as I remembered.

[GAME05]

it's too hard for me to envision Prince signing anything with Milwaukee right now. he turned down our "security" contract so he could make bigger bucks in free agency, so why would he suddenly sign anything now? that's just not what Boras is about.

[PrinceFielderx1]

There is no better time than right now for the Brewers to go all in on Fielder and offer him a a huge long term contract. The Brewers won't get a good enough return for him. It will come down to either draft picks or extend him.

 

 

 

I know that many here think a small market team like the Brewers shouldn't invest 20-25% of their payroll into one player. I can understand that. It makes it tough to do other things and at times it also makes it tough to compete. However, the Brewers are in a very good position right now to be able to hand out 10-15 million more to Fielder per year and possibly contend. The Brewers finally have pitching in the upper parts of their system that is knocking at the door that is super cheap and full of potential. The Brewers also have one of the top offenses in baseball. The Brewers also have about 30 million in freed up cash. There is no better time then right now to re-sign Prince Fielder.

 

If the Brewers do the following things they IMO can contend for the next 5+ years,

 

1.) Trade/ re-sign a top of the line pitcher. Just 1. Like Greinke.

 

2.) Re-sign Weeks

 

3.) Re-sign Fielder

 

4.)Get Rogers/Odorizzi/Peralta to Milwaukee within the next couple years.

 

5.) Stay away from FA. Not a bad idea regardless.

 

6.) Pull of a trade here and there for salary relief. Like the Marlins do once a player is due for a huge raise.

 

7.) Draft well

 

I'd give Fielder a 7/160 million contract with an option for an 8th year. I think the Brewers might feel pressured to do something like this regardless. I mean how can they take draft picks for Fielder? That would scream that the Brewers wasted an opportunity to compete with Fielder as a Brewer. I don't think they can stomach that to be honest.

 

I'd bet that the Brewers would draw 3 million fans every year if they re-signed Fielder and got an ace pitcher.

 

Something to keep in mind is that Fielder could always be traded to an AL team mid-way through his contract. After 5 years or something. Anyways I'm hopeful either way.

 

The Brewers chances are slim because of payroll to contend year after year with or without Fielder. I say what the heck go ahead and re-sign him.

[Brewer Fever]

Everyone needs to get one thing clearly through their minds. The Brewers aren't dropping their trade pursuits because they think they are close to an extension. They have stopped pursuing trades because they couldn't get in return what they were seeking for him. And that was high quality starting pitching. The Brewers have made it clear to all teams what they want and have no reason to shop for deals. If any team reverses course, they will come to the Brewers with an offer heavy on pitching.

 

In the meantime, you continue to trade numbers with Boras so that when Fielder does hit FA and the offers aren't in ARod land, your offers begin to look pretty good. Melvin is simply keeping the dialogue open. If you go silent with Fielder for the next year, you risk the chance that he takes it as a sign he's unwanted and tunes you out next winter.

 

Again, if the trade offers aren't up to par, you take the 2 comp picks and acquire pitching in the draft. You don't just trade him to trade him.

 

Too many of you are reading this incorrectly as the Brewers ditching all trade attempts and thinking they're on the cusp of an extension. They're not.

[craigharmann]

Too many of you are reading this incorrectly as the Brewers ditching all trade attempts and thinking they're on the cusp of an extension. They're not.

Right on. He's going to most definitely hit free agency, to try to get as much money as he can, in my opinion. So either the Brewers push to to make 2011 their year, or they trade him and start reloading for 2012 or 2013. I think if Uggla brought back that in a trade, my guess is that the offers for Prince aren't very high. So, why not keep him, see what offers are out there over the winter, strengthen the pitching, and if a deal comes along (assuming we're out of it come the trading deadline), then you make that deal. That said, I don't see why the Brewers wouldn't put their eggs into 2011. The Cubs are rebuilding, the Astros and Pirates are what they are, so your primary competition is the Cards. And they can be had.

[PrinceFielderx1]

Everyone needs to get one thing clearly through their minds. The Brewers aren't dropping their trade pursuits because they think they are close to an extension.

I'm not saying they are close to an extension. I'm saying that they should consider going all out to try to re-sign Prince Fielder.

[kramnoj]

Too many of you are reading this incorrectly as the Brewers ditching all trade attempts and thinking they're on the cusp of an extension. They're not.

 

I don't see evidence of a single person saying they are on the cusp of an extension. I also don't see anyone advocating trading Fielder just to trade him. Which posts are you reading that would inspire these comments?

 

If you are going to start a post by telling us what we need to clearly get through our minds, it would be helpful to have a clear understanding of what people actually have said.

[PilprinBuddha]

Truth is...he has little value....We may have held the cards too long.

[thebruce44]

There is no better time than right now for the Brewers to go all in on Fielder and offer him a a huge long term contract. The Brewers won't get a good enough return for him. It will come down to either draft picks or extend him.

The reasons you gave just show that this is the exact wrong time to offer him a contract extension. We hold no bargaining chips at the table and Boras knows that.

[paul253]

The reasons you gave just show that this is the exact wrong time to

offer him a contract extension. We hold no bargaining chips at the table

and Boras knows that.

 

I mostly agree with this but just to play devil's advocate couldn't the Brewer's approach Boras and say "Look we can't even get a number three starter for your client. You are insane to think you'll get anywhere near Teixeira money. We'll give your client about as much as anyone else will. Hear is our offer".

[PrinceFielderx1]

Exactly, Paul253. The Brewers would have to make a damn good offer. I do think Boras and Fielder have the edge in the negotiations, but there are reasons to think that they should consider a very good offer from the Brewers. It's worth a shot to offer Fielder something like 7/160 and see if he will bite.

[Baldkin]

Exactly, Paul253. The Brewers would have to make a damn good offer. I do think Boras and Fielder have the edge in the negotiations, but there are reasons to think that they should consider a very good offer from the Brewers. It's worth a shot to offer Fielder something like 7/160 and see if he will bite.

Too long and too much. Way too much risk for the Brewers to take on. That money would be better spent elsewhere. Like Beltre and Weeks.

[logan82]

5 years max on any contract. Preferably 3-4 depending on the age.

[TooLiveBrew]

Nats won't offer Josh Willingham an extension (h/t to FanGraphs)

a baseball source familiar with the Nationals' thinking believes

Willingham will most likely be traded before the 2011 season starts. The

source believes that Washington would want something for Willingham

before he becomes a free agent after the 2011 season. Published reports

already indicated that several teams have interest in Willingham's

services.

He's under team salary control for 2011, and is another corner power bat to cut into the Fielder market. Willingham is a decent target for a team seeking a DH/1B guy, since his main problem thus far has been staying healthy.

[dlk9s]

We should pick up Willingham just so he can't destroy us anymore.