In the end, Ted Lerner didn't blink. He held firm at 5 years, and Scott Boras went out and (thanks to injury) found the deal he wanted. Admit it: earlier this afternoon, before Scott Boras shocked the world again by pulling a reported 9 year, $214 Million deal out of Tiger's owner Mike Illitch's ass thin air for Prince Fielder, when you heard that the Nats had scheduled an introductory press conference at 3:30 Wednesday at Nationals Park for Gio Gonzalez, you let the thought enter your mind. You did, didn't you! You pictured Prince Fielder crashing through a wall behind the dais at Nationals Park like the Kool-Aid Man during Gio's presser. Oh well. Would've been fun.
We're still trying to collect our thoughts on this one.
But mostly, we're just relieved that the mystery team wasn't the Marlins. That would've sucked.
Can't wait to hear details about how the contract is structured. Are these nine years guaranteed, or are years 8 and/or 9 vesting options? Did they backload this thing? How about no-trade?
*sigh* Guess it's time to get used to the idea of Adam LaRoche and his bum shoulder at first base for a while.
If you're Mike Rizzo, are you on the phone with the Rays right now offering Ian Desmond for BJ Upton, straight up?
Good imagery, but I'm glad the Nats didn't pull the trigger on that one.
Posted by: WFY | January 24, 2012 at 07:13 PM
If we could get Desmond for Upton straight up that would be amazing. I would even be happy with Desmond + Flores for Upton..assuming we extend him right after the trade
Posted by: Adam | January 24, 2012 at 07:26 PM
The Prince news hurts. I was convinced the Nats were going to be able to snag him at a bargain, and then, Boras does it again.
Posted by: Anonymoose | January 24, 2012 at 08:10 PM
Adam, really, so who is going to play 2nd base when you trade Desmond? Don't tell me Lombardozzi. Who's going to leadoff? Have you checked Upton's numbers at leadoff? What do you do when Upton leaves for Free Agency? You aren't the first novice who has made the suggestion but its just not worth discussing.
Posted by: Michael L.G. | January 24, 2012 at 09:10 PM
Once again, shifted by a big name. First Texiera, and now Prince. Can't we get SOMEBODY to come here??
Posted by: Gary | January 24, 2012 at 09:34 PM