(There's Cecil Fielder on TV in Arizona in September 2011. Screen cap via here.)
Okay, so against a backdrop of a weekend of silence followed by reports of the Rangers considering a late run at Prince Fielder (which we should all simply chalk up to Texas trying to put a jolt of fear into the Yu Darvish camp; it just happens to work well for Scott Boras's negotiation strategy?), Prince Fielder's father Cecil Fielder joined Holden Kushner and Jim Duquette on Sunday on MLB Network Radio. Fielder the Elder weighed in (get it!?) on where his son will land. Listen to the interview here. Here's the highlight for Nationals fans:
Holden Kushner: Next time you talk to him, will you tell him to come to Washington?
Cecil Fielder: I think that's what's gonna happen, man. That's what's gonna happen. Personally, I think that's gonna happen.
Despite the halcyon days of the father-son McDonalds ad -- considering the history of estrangement between father and son, we're going out on a limb to say Cecil probably knows as much about where his son is going as you or I do.
According to a person who seems to always know stuff and is usually right about it -- Ted Lerner made an offer or two he was comfortable with, and went beyond that, and now the Nats are sitting at "take it or leave it".
We won't be surprised as the Darvish deadline approaches to read about renewed interest from the Brewers, a run by the Blue Jays, and even a batshit crazy offer by the Mariners -- our guess is that Boras will be trying to put a scare into the Lerners by putting lots of stuff out there during ensuing talks in hopes of pushing Ted Lerner further. But again, let's not forget that this is Ted BLEEPING Lerner we're talking about here. Don't underestimate the impact of the Jayson Werth contract negotiations on these negotiations, and how Ted Lerner might still be feeling about getting screwed by Boras and overpaying for Werth (even billionaires have feelings, folks!). We'd be surprised if Lerner budges; we'd also be surprised if some other team beats Ted Lerner's last, best offer. Just guessing here.
Meanwhile, the best Nats blog out there -- Nationals Baseball -- weighed in (get it!?) on Friday with the best pro-Fielder-to-the-Nats piece yet. We're still trying to find even a halfway decent anti-Fielder-to-the-Nats argument.
If the Nats had a marketing department, we'd suggest the following slogan for the 2012 season: Who's on First? (no, we don't mean Wil Nieves!).
Fielder is a DH and a prime candidate for early-onset "old player skills." He might have 4 good years left him and then he becomes a liability. Anything beyond a 5 year deal would be very risky. While he'd open the window to content sooner, I think he shortens it as well.
Help is on the way (Harper) and first base isn't the hardest position to fill.
Posted by: WFY | January 09, 2012 at 06:02 AM
"even billionaires have feelings, folks" Great line. Yep, screw me once shame on you, screw me twice shame on me.
Yes, a 5 year deal certainly works. A 7 year deal can possibly work for the Nats with the 5 year opt-out if there is significant backloaded dollars so Prince is opting out of the most expensive years.
Even though Pujols contract doesn't have an opt-out, take a look at the back loading on that deal!
An opt-out sometimes gives the player that added incentive to perform even better like it is a contract year. I agree that any years beyond 5 gets dicey.
Keep in mind that Toronto can make a run at Prince and offer more and Prince may say no. Same as Seattle. Doubt he wants to play for teams that have their best chance at competing for 3rd place.
Texas makes sense and will end up the destination if they don't sign Yu.
Posted by: Michael L.G. | January 09, 2012 at 08:07 AM
I hear the Hot Stove needs more kindling. This sucks. You have to wonder if Boras is pushing the Rangers with unrealistic numbers on Prince like "you can get him for 5 years $90 million". Then the Rangers drop Darvish and jump into the bidding only to find out they need 7 years to get him.
The Nats offer is clearly sitting there as the top offer, waiting to be beaten like a dirty old rug.
Posted by: NatsLink | January 09, 2012 at 02:47 PM