Early last week, one of ESPN’s baseball “insiders” stated on the air that the Nationals were a likely landing spot for soon-to-be free agent Prince Fielder of the Milwaukee Brewers. Within hours, if not minutes, there were multiple internet postings embracing it as fact, and I heard one caller to a radio show in Baltimore label it as “virtually a done deal.” Frankly, I just don’t see it.
Sure, Fielder is an offensive difference maker who’s having another big year at the plate for the Brewers. At 27, he’s really just entering his prime years. For a big man — the word big may be an understatement for a guy who’s a hair shy of 6 feet tall and weighs around 275 pounds — he plays a competent first base. He is, by all reports, a terrific teammate. So what’s the problem?
First of all, the Nationals have a first baseman named Adam LaRoche, who’s out for the season following shoulder surgery. He’s owed $8 million for next season, and while his offensive numbers for 2011 are nothing to write home about, his reputation as a slow starter preceded him to town. There’s little reason to doubt his ability to get back to his season averages of 25 home runs and 90-plus RBI. Sure, Michael Morse has given an All-Star caliber performance at the gateway in LaRoche’s absence, but I think the blueprint for 2012 shows Morse in left and LaRoche back at first.
Fielder is thought to want a long-term contract for upwards of $25 million annually. Surveying the ballclubs that could easily afford a ticket that big, it’s tough to find a fit. The Yankees have Mark Teixeira at first for several more years. The Red Sox are more than pleased with Adrian Gonzalez. The Phillies have a similar player to Fielder in Ryan Howard. Who’s left?
Angels owner Arte Moreno seems to have very deep pockets, but his first baseman Mark Trumbo is having a very impressive rookie year, and Moreno might prefer to see if he develops into a superstar. I really don’t see another AL team with the financial ability to get it done.
Fielder would be an interesting fit with the Giants, and a huge upgrade over incumbent first baseman Aubrey Huff. San Francisco’s offensive output this year lags about 50 runs behind the Nats, and Fielder might enjoy hitting homers in McCovey Cove.
In the end, however, don’t be shocked if Fielder is back with the Brewers again in 2012, and for some years thereafter. Milwaukee is currently in command of the NL Central, and in the event that they advance to the World Series — a distinct possibility — owner Mark Attanasio won’t want to be labeled as the guy who let Fielder get away. I have to believe that he and GM Doug Melvin would find a way to get it done.
Fielder is a luxury the Nationals can clearly afford. In this case, though, I don’t think the timing is right.
Examiner columnist Phil Wood is a baseball historian and contributor to MASN’s Nats Xtra. Contact him at [email protected].
