We are getting closer to the pitchers/catchers countdown being posted on MLB's web site, so let's start the new year off right, and ask what the heck is the leagues biggest free agent ( salary and girth ) doing.
The Prince of Fielder is roaming the country seeking a big wad o' cash, with super agent Scott Boras telling every newspaper or TV reporter his boy Fielder will be getting a 10 year deal, you know, like he got for Arod, and like what that other 1st baseman got in LA. You remember that Pujols kid, with the 2 World Series rings, and MVP's. Well sure we do, we just have not seen that from Fielder, yet.
Prince was entertained in Baltimore, Seattle, Chicago, Texas, and Washington, plus the 30 other suitors reported by trustworthy Scott Boras. Days are passing by, and no one has offered him a 10 year deal.
Peter Gammons reported he'd heard 3- 5 years were offered, and Boras rebuffed those remarks, made by an out sider, someone who does not have the ears of GM's. And while that might be the truth, I am going to give Gammons the benefit of the doubt, at least until proven otherwise.
The Orioles claim they are out, Boras says, well not completely, the Cubs have sniffed around, but made no offer, and Boras says they are being coy, and a big offer is coming. So far the only team that has discussed numbers it seems is the team I am sure he would never want to sign long term with, the Nats.
The Nats are in a slow building mode, and just ask them about long term deals, and they will answer..."Jayson Werth".
I suspect he wants to play in Chicago, and if he does, he will have to accept a lesser term, and manageable money. Theo Esptein would like to make a splash, but is in the process of trying to assess the Cubs needs....which is...every thing it seems. Adding a 10 yr dead weighted deal does not seem like a smart play, besides, who else is offering 10 years ? hands up ....
My thoughts are this will drag until late into January, only because of 2 things ;
1) Scott Boras' ego, needing the 10 year deal to prove to other clients that he 'da boss'
2) Lack of needy markets, no LA teams, no NY teams, no room in Boston, Detroit and Philly.
If there is a 3rd reason why I am guessing later in January, it is that if Texas does not iron out a deal in the next two weeks with Yu Darvish, he drops off their team, and maybe Boras wants to wait until the Rangers are maybe a player for Prince.
Meanwhile, Alex is rebuilding the Jays bullpen, with the acquisition of Darren Oliver, Aaron Laffey and the trade for Jason Fraser. This plus the minor league FA's he offered tryouts to, and the bullpen rebuild is complete.
Neither cost a much money, and Oliver's deal is essentially a 1 year deal, perhaps there is a club option as well.
I am still hearing from the local bloggers in Toronto that Jays are a player for Prince, if he could accept a 3 year deal. That story is a horse that won't run. Rogers is not spotting $ 50 million for 3 years of Fielder if the rest of the team is constructed as it currently is, you want at least 5 years of service, not 3.
So we have to be patient, and play Scott Boras' game of sit and wait for someone to blink, and the tour might start back up with stops in Atllanta, Tampa Bay, pass through Milwaukee to another drop in Chicago and Washington. I hope Prince is watching his calories these days, that restaurant food, and room service will pack on the pounds.
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