And so, while you're sitting around waiting for something -- anything! -- on Prince Fielder, Larry Stone of The Seattle Times got us thinking about potential dark horses in the Fielder sweepstakes who could potentially blow away anything Ted Lerner has on the table at the moment. This gave us pause:
Who knows who else might emerge as a serious candidate for Fielder? The stereotypical Boras "surprise team" might well be out there waiting for the opportune moment to strike. Remember, the Angels didn't join the Pujols talks until the very end, when they swooped in and blew away the field. The Marlins were hot and heavy after Pujols, so we know they have a lot of money to spend, and the burning desire to make a splash as they move into a new ballpark. Could they be a team waiting in the weeds on Fielder? Sounds plausible to me.
(Larry Stone, via The Seattle Times, 1/10/2012)
Sounds plausible to us, too. How come even in the offseason the Marlins seem to own the Nats?
Just in case, we asked someone. And according to that someone -- a person who knows stuff and is usually right about it -- the Marlins aren't a serious concern in the Fielder sweepstakes at the moment because Boras simply won't waive the no-trade for Fielder, and Jeffrey Loria won't consider offering a no-trade. However...let's throw out a hypothetical: say Loria could be persuaded, depending on how those season ticket packages are selling at the new Sun Fish Shark Dolphin Stadium or whatever they're calling it. Who knows? Maybe ticket sales are brisk. Or maybe not, and Loria thinks he needs to make another big splash. Or maybe it's more important to him to have the flexibility to move the big albatross contracts the F out within 3-5 years when the new stadium utterly fails in Miami. Who knows?
At the moment we're still betting on the Nats in a one-horse race, because we can't imagine a situation where the Rangers pass on Yu Darvish after losing CJ Wilson - nor can we imagine a situation where Yu Darvish passes on the Rangers after all this time. Nor can we imagine a situation where the Rangers sign both Darvish and Fielder. Nor can we imagine a situation where Prince returns to the Brewers, or wants to play for the Blue Jays or Mariners. But the Marlins still scare us for some inexplicable reason.
But until Scott Boras starts floating those rumors out there himself to try and put a scare into Ted Lerner (and we're guessing they're coming soon -- and we're guessing Ted still won't budge), there's the Yu Darvish waiting game...
Noooooooo!!!!!
Posted by: Anonymoose | January 10, 2012 at 11:37 PM
I'd be okay with the Marlins overspending for another free agent. Let them be burdened by the back end of that contract.
Posted by: WFY | January 11, 2012 at 08:40 AM
There's one other mystery team out there, that, like Rizzo, keeps denying it. "Splash" is the clue, there. Left-handed power hitter splash. With first base at least as open as DC. A legitimate contender, with enough tickets sold (pretty much all of them) to afford him.
Posted by: Sec3MySofa | January 11, 2012 at 12:50 PM
Hmmm well Florida:no-trade, Gabby Sanchez and LoMo. They are as well situated than the Nats with LaRoche (average hitter) and Michael Morse ... but I agree the Marlins have to be the "mystery team".
In the end sec3 its the no-trade. If that's still one of Boras requirements it won't fly with most teams on the radar. I doubt that your suggested mystery team will feel any differently.
However, the Nats have already made an exception in Werth's case.
Posted by: peric | January 11, 2012 at 03:38 PM
Redskins? Don't count Snider out. I hear they might let London Fletcher go. Actually, no.....they can't afford Fielder under the salary cap.
Posted by: Homer | January 11, 2012 at 08:30 PM
Orioles are the mystery team. They need the player, have no legitimate 1B. They did not re-sign Luke Scott. Stated today Mark Reynolds would be playing 3B. Freed up $25MM from last year, and spent very little on SP but were able to get quality pitchers via international free agency. No 1B or DH. Not to mention will free up at least $15MM next year as Brian Roberts is certainly done and insurance will cover that. Kevin Gregg will be gone. They can give the years because they are in the AL. Even a 10 year contract would only make Fielder 26 to start the final season. He should certainly be able to still be a productive DH at that age. Angelos is as old as Lerner and has the same money. Not to mention he has the MASN money which he has stockpiled for years now. They offered Texiera $180MM a couple of years ago so it's not like they wouldn't pull the trigger. All is quiet this off-season in Baltimore, almost too quiet.
Posted by: ZEROS | January 13, 2012 at 10:29 AM
sorry meant he would only be 36 entering final year of 10 year deal. They certainly would also not worry about trading him as they have a hard enough time drawing quality free agents as it is. Not to mention they are just as close to Florida.
Posted by: ZEROS | January 13, 2012 at 10:31 AM