It's over. Just moments after Yahoo!Sports.com's Tim Brown retweeted an unsubstantiated report which had the Washington Nationals and Prince Fielder agreeing on an 8-year deal, the national baseball writer spoke to actual sources who told him that the Detroit Tigers had emerged as the mystery team, swooping in late and out of nowhere to sign the 27-year-old first baseman to a 9-year/$214M dollar deal. Though Washington's front office downplayed their interest and the possibility of the big free agent landing in the nation's capital throughout the winter, they were thought to be alone atop the market of interested suitors just hours before the news of the actual deal broke.
As CBSSports.com's Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) is reporting on the Twitter machine in the aftermath of the announcement, the, "Nationals and a 3rd mystery team were in strong," so they were in it until the end. Instead of adding the big, slugging free agent first baseman, the Nationals will now hope the Adam LaRoche is healthy, or they'll go with Michael Morse at first as they did last season when LaRoche went down with a torn labrum and rotator cuff damage in his shoulder. D.C. GM Mike Rizzo signed the 32-year-old LaRoche to a two-year/$16M dollar deal last winter, and has said repeatedly that he expects a return to form from the first baseman.
"We just want [LaRoche] to have his career norms, .265 [AVG], 25 [HR's], 85-100 RBI's and play great defense," Rizzo said in a late-December MLB Network Radio interview, "We feel that his shoulder is rehabbed. He's 100% and talking to him just recently, he feels great and he's ready to contribute [for] us in 2012." Will Washington attempt to acquire the center fielder and leadoff man they've talked of wanting all winter? Will they wait to find a free agent in 2013? The Nats are already moving on, they announced this morning that they'll introduce Gio Gonzalez to the D.C. press corps tomorrow afternoon. A bench bat? A veteran reliever? WIll the Nats make any more moves, or is the Hot Stove season over for the Nationals?
0 recs | 118 comments
Ok.
I wanted him, no doubt about it. But not on those terms. I really didn’t think he’d get that kind of deal.
At least it’s over and I can finally get some work done.
rarumberger - January 24, 2012
Too much and too long.
Glad it’s finally over!
Dan Shields - January 27, 2012
Not the best day for DC
1) Nats lose out on the PF sweepstakes (although agree it would have been WORSE to get him at the price Detroit paid);
2) Ovi to sit out NHL All-Star game – begins first game of suspension tonight (of course, he hasn’t played like he deserves it anyway, but I can’t think him sitting out of the game is a good thing, whether for him, the team, or the league);
3) Flip Saunders of the utterly pathetic Wizards fired by the guy who should be walking with him (or perhaps instead of him?) right out the door.
What’s next? Redskins going to trade some high draft picks for Peyton Manning?
ricksnats - January 24, 2012
Manning
Please, that has been inevitable, although they should probably wait until he signs his $28M extension so we can trade a few first rounders for him.
Dev11 - January 24, 2012
1) I think that we are better off with the 200 million to use on re-signing Zimm, Harper and Strassy, and building a franchise around some home grown stars for the next few years. Prince would have been nice at 50 million less.
2) Can’t disagree, three game suspension’s too bad. But its not the end of the world. Ovi has to be careful, the NHL wants to get him.
3) How sad can it really be, and the Wiz GM will probably be next to go, but you can’t fire both on the same day.
Re-Manning, I don’t see anyone trading for him, once he gets cut we might go after him.
Alex35332 - January 24, 2012
The scary thing was I threw in the Manning thing as sarcasm only
but, well, it IS the Redskins….
ricksnats - January 24, 2012
It is the skins, and we are desperate for a QB
Also, I just heard Ovi’s interview audio, I didn’t realize he pulled himself from the All-Star game because of the suspension. Couldn’t you also view that as a sign of maturity?
Alex35332 - January 24, 2012
whether it's a sign of maturity would have to depend on his motivations
I’m not in his brain, but there appears to be some cause to question the maturity behind his reasoning. See “Puck Daddy: Alex Ovechkin pulls out of NHL All-Star Game: ‘I got suspended, so why I have to go there?’” I know it’s not really an authoritative source per se, but I am a bit struck by the words he chose (also recognizing English is NOT his first language, but still….). He seems to imply by his words that It’s an OBLIGATION; and he seems to have opted for a way out of an obligation, usually not something I’d generally associate with an act of maturity.
ricksnats - January 24, 2012
Well it sort of is an obligation. He hadn’t anticipated going, most players don’t want to go (unless it’s their first time), and now he has even less reason to want to go (why help the league now?) Sort of a weird situation all around though.
brs03 - January 24, 2012
Sure, I agree.
My point was simply with respect to the question of whether not going = sign of maturity. My thinking: not so much.
ricksnats - January 24, 2012
What I heard on the radio was
along the lines of “I love to go, but I don’t deserve it, I got suspended,”
Alex35332 - January 24, 2012
He said several variations, some that sounded mature (or a cop out) and some that sounded more personal (or pouty). How you take it depends on your agenda/outlook/etc.
Something like this isn’t going to be altruistic though. It’s not like he’s worried about sullying the good name of the ASG, since that would require it to be respected in the first place.
brs03 - January 24, 2012
Was just thinking that...
As a DC sports fan, I should have known there were only two possible outcomes regarding the PF Flyer:
1.) Fielder doesn’t sign here.
2.) Fielder signs, becomes biggest bust in sports history. Nats become huge disappointment, laughingstock, completely irrelevant. Guns and/or fitness tests become involved at some point. Media circus ensues.
No middle ground there. So from a glass half full perspective, maybe this is for the best?
Now excuse me, I have a fresh six pack RG3 kool aid to pregame with before I go boo Tim Thomas…maybe our boys can salvage this mess of a day by embarrassing the champs…
terpsDC - January 24, 2012
Numb
just frustrated and angry at the jerkoffs who faked us signing him to the 8 yr deal and pending physical in dc can u believe that crap then get happy and excited I was running in circles with joy even being skeptical of the rumor hearing we were favorites and frontrunners then the tigers..bahh..bahh..freakin jerks,who pranked and Lerners cheapness..I’m sry but he in my eyes isn’t richest owner..thx for a major let down……..
Sportzxpert - January 24, 2012 via Android app
You’re not very familiar with the world of sports rumors, are you.
brs03 - January 24, 2012
especially when agent Scott Boras and reporter Jon Heyman are involved producing such rumors
44FAN - January 24, 2012
Well it was more about the prevalence of all out fabrication from even less reputable sources than Boras and his mouthpieces. Like random rumor generators, more or less.
brs03 - January 24, 2012
Also, the Heyman thing about the 8-year deal was a fake Heyman account
It was “John Heyman,” not the actual reporter, “Jon Heyman”
Jorgath - January 24, 2012
So now that Fielder is gone
And I’m trying to make it a distant memory, how does the team improve the offense?
I doubt they do and we end up in fourth place. I think the lefty power is being placed solely on Harper, but we still could use another decent lefty bat, but I don’t see it coming from anywhere.
Mattionals - January 24, 2012
But I think we put Mike Moorse at 1st for most the season and bank on his success continuing. We really needed to grab a free agent center fielder for a 1 year deal.
Alex35332 - January 24, 2012
get someone to bat leadoff and play CF…
CapitalCaniac - January 24, 2012
The offense will improve
By Zimmerman being healthy and playing close to 162 games, Werth getting closer to his career averages, and Espinosa and Desmond progressing.
aholla30 - January 24, 2012
We dodged a bullet
So glad no overweight, overpaid Prince on board. NOW a Zim extension makes sense. Also, try to sign Harper for 6 or 7 years right as he’s called up like the Rays did with Longoria…also get a veteran bp arm…
dunbard - January 24, 2012
We have Harper for so long at too cheap of a price to give him a big contract.
Not to mention he has yet to prove he is worth a big time deal. We currently have a great deal with Harper, and we ill have the money to give him an extension 2 years before his contract expires. We need to focus on resigning Zimmerman or trading for a leadoff CF.
Horcasitas4 - January 24, 2012
We need a CF, but not through trade...
why not just wait until the end of the season to sign a CF? If the end goal is to win a WS then this is the only logical option. 2012 isn’t our year. 2013 is! There are half a dozen quality CF who are free agents after this year. Why trade someone of value for just one year when we aren’t even built to win this year.
In 2013, when we got our rotation of Stras, Zimm, and Gio rolling we’ll be a contender for the WS, but I don’t think we are now. Unless someones willing to just hand us a quality player, like Boston did with the Rockies, I say no trade.
Natsbat4W - January 24, 2012
Yep.
I would wait and go for Bourne or Upton next offseason, but for now we need a better stop-gap.
Horcasitas4 - January 24, 2012
on fielder
hey guys. long time reader, first time poster. this is a fantastic blog. thought i’d toss in my two cents on today’s happenings.
1) fielder for those terms is completely insane. and by that i mean completely nuts. there’s no way that i’d be excited for a contract like that for a player who has maybe 3-4 years left as a non-DH.
2) 1B is not, in my opinion, the primary need right now anyways. that would be CF/leadoff. i’m irritated more by the fact that rizzo hasn’t signed ANYONE for CF yet. granted next off-season there are some great names available, but who’s going to play there this year? i’m not at all impressed by the in-house options right now.
overall, we certainly dodged a terrible contract today. i would be happy to see rizzo lock-up zim to tolerable terms and then find out some way to fix CF (and no, upton is not an ideal CF/leadoff for this team). we need someone with speed/defense who can get on base. a middle of the order with a health zim/morse/laroche/werth looks fine to me. we just need guys in front of them.
CapitalCaniac - January 24, 2012
I think he may end up a DH on this deal in Detroit.
Alex35332 - January 24, 2012
absolutely. where else could he play? that being said, what do they do with vmart and cabrera now? odd deal for detroit…
CapitalCaniac - January 24, 2012
Although he and Cabrera aren't far off defensively at 1B
depending on what metric you use.
jbg2772 - January 24, 2012
I saw a quote from Cabrera that pretty much said he can still play 3B.
We shall see.
RoscoeNats - January 25, 2012
In the same way that Mark Reynolds can play 3B, I suspect
jbg2772 - January 25, 2012
Zimmerman
he just is always,injured,n never can play one full season. bummed out
Sportzxpert - January 24, 2012 via Android app
Over 140 games in 4/6 season. I wouldn’t overreact just yet.
Tvm950 - January 24, 2012
At least we will have a great D next year.
Considering no Fielder at first and no Werth in center field. There is a silver lining.
Horcasitas4 - January 24, 2012
Who is going to play CF?
Bernadina, heaven forbid?
RobBobS - January 24, 2012
Cameron, heaven forbid even more?
RobBobS - January 24, 2012
Maybe he'll bounce back for a couple months
long enough for Harper to come up while maximizing team control.
chubias - January 24, 2012
Hope and prayer
seems to be all we got.
RobBobS - January 24, 2012
and then what?
Harper’s not ready to step in at CF. It’s more likely Werth plays CF all 2012, with the aforementioned pu pu platter holding place for Harper (unless Davey has his way and breaks camp with Harper in RF)
jbg2772 - January 24, 2012
Well, I don't love the idea of Werth in CF, it could be the solution for a few months this year.
chubias - January 24, 2012
How about this situation?
Re-sign Ankiel. Do a sort-of platoon: against righties, Ankiel in CF and Werth in RF, against lefties Werth in CF and Cameron in RF.
Jorgath - January 24, 2012
I don't know about Werth over Cameron in CF.
Cameron maybe the oldest living person in the world, but he I think he still has the range, and has been an MLB plus defending CF since Bryce Harper was 3. If you are going to get any mileage out of Cameron, its from his glove in CF.
chubias - January 24, 2012
CF question
Are there ANY free agents out there who would be worth a 1 year deal?
Alex35332 - January 24, 2012
maybe juan pierre? if he takes a 1 year deal. but yeah, CF pool is mighty thing right now…
CapitalCaniac - January 24, 2012
I know we are waiting till next year.
Would have liked to see a move for someone like Crisp for 1 year.
Alex35332 - January 24, 2012
Juan Pierre?
good gods, no. i can kick the ball further than he can throw.
Dave at District Sports Page - January 24, 2012
But at least he'll never overthrow the cutoff man
#can’tmissanydigatnyjer
RobBobS - January 24, 2012
Are you saying Nyjer has an arm that could overthrow a cut off man, much less hit one?
PerryMason - January 24, 2012
Overthrow?
He does actually have an arm that can throw it past the cutoff man. It’s just that if he throws it that hard, it’s actually likely that he’ll throw it past the cutoff, since he’ll throw it about twenty to thirty degrees in the wrong direction. His aim has an inverse relationship to the power he puts into a throw.
Jorgath - January 24, 2012
I respectfully disagree, IMO, the strength of Nyger’s arm is below average.
There must be a way to measure that… Anybody know if there are stats for that?
PerryMason - January 25, 2012
Yes
UZR breaks down arm/range/etc. See Fangraphs in the advanced defensive section. Career he is about average (though that includes an outlier of a “great” arm year in 2009. His range is worth about 10 times as much (but I don’t know, I tend to agree with the UZR haters there… sure, he was fast, but he ran in wide arcs for seemingly no reason)
William.Hatheway - January 25, 2012
Also the "Fan's" report
With over 100 voting in 7 defensive categories, his “arm” was by far the worst of the bunch… (that would be your “eye test”)
William.Hatheway - January 25, 2012
Interesting…thanks!
PerryMason - January 25, 2012
no problem
glad to make sense for once!
William.Hatheway - January 25, 2012
Heh.
I like ALL digs at Nyjer.
MissB - January 24, 2012 via mobile
Rick Ankiel?
Jorgath - January 24, 2012
I forgot about him
in my rant about the Nats’ miserable offense.
RobBobS - January 24, 2012
i was actually pulling for crisp too. too bad he got two years from the As. still, he had the qualities i’d want in a leadoff. i think desmond may actually blossom as a hitter in the 2-hole. but leadoff? strikes out too much and obp isn’t where it needs to be. heck, i’d happy with ankiel at this point. just anyone other than what we’ve got…
CapitalCaniac - January 24, 2012
To me leadoff guys need to have some years in the bigs
The game is all about experience, thats the problem with Ian IMHO, he is young so he hasn’t seen it all yet.
Alex35332 - January 24, 2012
I was starting to get pumped for Fielder but was hoping it would be in the 7 yr $170 mil range
The fact that the tigers paid close to $45 mil over that price makes me not terrible depressed we didnt get him. We knew going into this offseason that we needed another top of the rotation pitcher and a starting CF. One of those holes has been filled (at a steep price) but the other is still a ?. I am actually okay with waiting a year to get a guy like Bourne in free agency and playing Werth in CF this season if we have to. But who would our other OF be? Who is still on the market? We have to figure this out before the year unless Rizzo is okay with playing Ankiel/Shark in one OF position until Harper comes up.
jeffco01 - January 24, 2012
PF had always been a luxury sports car that we did not need
FINALLY! I am glad this is over. Really, PF always was that weekend sports car that we dont really need. I am surprised PF signed with Detroit though. PF hates his father but he will always have to deal with being compared with his father throughout his career. Not worth the extra money in my opinion. Well the offseason will have the perfect ending when Zim signs that extension.
Go!nats - January 24, 2012 via mobile
So you consider not fixing the offense
A perfect ending to the offseason? Strikeout brigade ahoy! I’m over not signing Fielder, but we are so late in the offseason, how does the team fix the issues of having barely any left handed bats and no leadoff hitter? Fielder wouldn’t have given a leadoff hitter but the added protection and OBP would have made that need much smaller.
This offense does not bode for more wins than last year. Don’t try and spin a healthy Zimm, bounceback Werth, and another monster year from Morse. Truth is we probably would have only won a few more, maybe 3 more games with better production from Werth and a healthy Zimm.
Mattionals - January 24, 2012
You forget about 165 IP from SS?
PerryMason - January 24, 2012
Don't expect him to go out there and be a 15 game winner
Remember that Jordan went out there this year and was taking some deep starts giving up barely any runs and the offense scored zilch for him. Sure you assume Zimmerman is healthy and you get a .290-.300 hitter back in the lineup instead of Cora/Hairston but some of those wins that the Nats got in the Zimm-less period were flukey ones. The over/under is probably about 3 over last year, but more consistent defense is played. We need Harper to rake and that should solve the left handed power problem. Scouts believe Harper will be a more complete hitter AND overall player than Fielder in a short period of time so the loss of Fielder isn’t as painful. A LHB leadoff type is something this team really needs to find though, but it is as elusive as Moby Dick.
Mattionals - January 24, 2012
Yo Moby!
Whenever I find myself growing grim about the mouth; whenever it is a damp, drizzly January in my soul; whenever I find myself involuntarily pausing before coffin warehouses, and bringing up the rear of every funeral I meet; and especially whenever my hypos get such an upper hand of me, that it requires a strong moral principle to prevent me from deliberately stepping into the street, and methodically knocking people’s hats off—then, I account it high time to get to NatsTowns soon as I can. This is my substitute for pistol and ball. With a philosophical flourish Cato throws himself upon his sword; I quietly take to NatsTown
PerryMason - January 24, 2012
I'm glad that it's a no deal.
Offense or not, 9/214 is just outrageous. That contract would be an albatross if say his production drops off after year 3. Anyways, I’d give anything to just extend Zim for a bunch of years right now.
Curious, does anyone know if we’d be able to pay Stras, Harper, and maybe Spinner when their contracts expire if we’d sign Fielder to this contract?
Tvm950 - January 24, 2012
And Zimm?
Tvm950 - January 24, 2012
It's pretty unclear as to how much they're actually willing to spend
But Rizzo has said that they have room for a few big free agent splashes and extensions. Now obviously, this monumental 9 year burden would have made things a little different so my guess is that they would had to have left one or two of those guys out
ZimforPrez - January 24, 2012
My sympathy to RobBobS...
I know you had your heart set on the Round Prince at 1B……..BUT……
I always figured it would have to be an AL team that got Fielder since Boras was determined NOT to give an inch on the years of the comtract. That’s one great contract for Fielder and would have been a total howler for the Nats. No thanks. Boras is STILL EVIL!
I’m STILL WORRIED ABOUT O…SPAD is still intact…except for that gi-normous area between LF& CF. But the O still seems pretty anemic. :-(((
Hope The Cyborg RAKES big tme once he joins the club! (And I really hope ALR’s repaired shoulder yields better O this year.)
(And for the record, Flip Saunders is an awful coach…never should have been hired and his firing waaaaaaaaaay overdue. And yeah, GM should be next to go.)
MissB - January 24, 2012 via mobile
agree on Flip and Ernie
gengreen17 - January 24, 2012
Fractured Flickers
If Fielder is as good as he and Boras claim (not to mention RBS), then I think it’s a damn shame he didn’t sign with the Nats for a reasonable amount of years/money.
I believe he would have eventually made the same amount of money and more, had he dunn so.
(Pun intended. I predict, in Detroit , the Fielder signing will become what’s known as the, “Curse of the Donkey!”)
Had he signed here, he could have been the “Toast of the Town”! (Is that The Nelson Riddle Orchestra in the background?)
Or at the very least, he could have been a contender (for the title currently held by SJ9)!
PerryMason - January 24, 2012
Agree on Boras...
brook - January 24, 2012
Thanks Miss B.
I think I’ll go for a stiff drink now.
RobBobS - January 24, 2012
Yes, Boras is evil
(I read a tweet from Sam Swain saying he owns an ‘evil’ petting zoo)
But, he is also really, really, really, really, really, really,… (see the PF Flyer memo) good at his job. I mean, got the contract that nobody thought he could get. Again. Kudos to Rizzo and the FO for not going as far as Detroit did.
Love me some healthy LaRoche, bumping his trade value for a midseason swap, pushing Morse to first in time for a Harper call-up! Whoever said our offense will keep us in fourth this season (some post above) has no soul. Go Nats!
ParkShark - January 24, 2012
How about Desmond and Flores for a BJ [Upton]?
I think it would fill their need of a SS and Flores can be their catcher (instead of the washed up Jose Molina). And Upton only has that 1 year left and we can re-sign him right after acquired. Win-win for both teams.
NatsFan18 - January 24, 2012
I am just amazed that Detroit has $350m invested in 1b
Honestly, you can’t compete with crazy.
The Herndon Kid - January 24, 2012 via mobile
No S**t
PerryMason - January 24, 2012
wow
great point that is crazy.oh well bye prince hope u do well in Detroit but bad against the Nats LOL good rittance
Sportzxpert - January 24, 2012 via Android app
jordy its a mcbomination
karreemofwheat - January 24, 2012
AdamKilgoreWP:
MASN not bringing back Debbi Taylor. She emails: “It seems they are eliminating the reporter position, unfortunately. It was a great run.”
dc Roach - January 24, 2012
Are they getting rid of Theoharris also? She was competent at her position.
The Herndon Kid - January 24, 2012 via mobile
What? No more Teapot Reports?
Who’s going to rock the faux leopard gloves?
Heh.
(BEST MOVE by MASN so far. Debi was really awful.)
MissB - January 24, 2012 via mobile
AdamKilgoreWP:
Debbi one of the kindest people I’ve come across in the business. So, people, be nice.
dc Roach - January 24, 2012
Yeah, Miss B. B nice!!
Patrick Reddington - January 24, 2012
Oh, you were expecting that response from me, right?
I didn’t want to disappoint.
;-)
MissB - January 24, 2012 via mobile
All right, Adam: kindest, maybe.
Competent?
Jorgath - January 24, 2012
LOL
I thought of you when I saw this… and for the media profession in general.
Mezza - January 24, 2012
I was in class all day, so I didn't have time to post this:
BAAAAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAAAAAAA
Good luck Tigers. Let’s hope you win that WS in the next 3-4 years.
mk7676 - January 24, 2012
Just out of curiosity, who are you laughing at?
d_c_guy - January 24, 2012
the contract. It's silly, and it makes me laugh
mk7676 - January 24, 2012
or not win..
dc Roach - January 24, 2012
2013 WS game 1: Strasburg vs. Verlander
Doncosmic - January 24, 2012
Yeah, I feel like although this shouldn't bite us, it will...
Because Prince will hit the World-Series-winning home run against us one of these years.
Jorgath - January 24, 2012
Well, atleast we won those 3 other rings... 2012-2017 good times.
chubias - January 24, 2012
Heard them interviewing someone
From the Detroit Free Press about the signing on the radio this afternoon.
He actually seemed rather irate that the team would sign such an irresponsible contract long-term.
I think his name was Drew Sharp. Here’s the article that he posted after the signing was announced.
short_shifter - January 24, 2012
I hope we hear a public statement from Rizzo
Bsullivan - January 24, 2012
Public statement from Rizz, Why?
He said been saying they will go With Adam LaRoche at 1 B.
HG_VA - January 24, 2012
I just want to hear details with what their offer was etc., whether they were actually engaged in talks, etc.
i also want to hear how crazy he thinks the deal was.
Bsullivan - January 24, 2012
I'm sure some report will ask.
I’m sure he will say the plan continues to be going with Adam LaRoche at 1B.
Interesting to hear what else he says.
HG_VA - January 24, 2012
Something along these lines, I'd guess.
“Of course we made an offer to Prince. Prince is a great ballplayer. But we have a great team already, and it’s getting better, so we didn’t need him badly enough to offer him more than we think is prudent. The Nationals are a good enough team that I expect them to be playoff contenders this year.”
Jorgath - January 24, 2012
Yeah, but nobody believed him.
RobBobS - January 24, 2012
I believe he allowed tbe Nats name to keep surfacing...
to make nice with Boras…for the next time Rizzo needs to negotiate with Boras.
It’s kind of unseemly and hard on some of the fans, but we’ll be happy next time Rizzo completes another successful negotiation with Boras for the real target (next year or mid-season for a real CF, maybe?)
I’m still sad the Nats missed out on Yu Darvish, but Gio is a pretty good consolation prize.-
MissB - January 24, 2012 via mobile
sucks
no more moves then..my buzz from the potential signing is now gone and reality is back in check..doooh..lookin forwArd to seeing Gio
Sportzxpert - January 24, 2012 via Android app
another thing to laugh about
@MLBinsideNews
Scott Swaim
Nationals execs are livid. Oh well, a deal is a deal. Goodbye twitter.
mk7676 - January 24, 2012
Interesting
So perusing the MLB Prospect watch pages. The only other Nat mentioned other than the obvious was Chris Marrero at 1b at #8.
http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/prospects/watch/y2012/index.jsp
Bsullivan - January 24, 2012
Nats on MLB Prospect
Bryce Harper Rank 1 OF
Anthony Rendon Rank 3 3B
Chris Marrero Rank 8 1B
HG_VA - January 24, 2012
If the offense stays as is
we’ll probably have more of those periods (which seem at the time to go on forever) where we can’t buy a run. Not surprising when with most of the lineup there’s at least a 1 in 4 chance they’ll whiff. That’s where a player like Crisp, while not an ideal solution, could have helped. The 1 in 4 may be a little bit of an exaggeration, but not much of one. It would be great if a win/win trade could be worked out with a team in need of some pop for a high OBP guy, but I don’t know who that would be.
mstomper - January 24, 2012
actually looking forward to the season
odds are werth is better and ryan plays more than 2011, 135 more innings from Stras, 40 more from jordan, gio replaces our #5, another year more experienced at second, short, and catcher. plenty to like
William.Hatheway - January 24, 2012
Well, an really amusing anecdote:
I just told my mother, “Well, the Tigers signed Prince Fielder.” And her response was “Who?”
Now, my mother is fairly knowledgeable about baseball in general, and she’s a Nats fan, but she’s the sort of semi-interested fan who doesn’t know (most) players unless they’re on her team. To sum her up, now, she knows what the infield fly rule is, and who Michael Morse is, but Prince Fielder is “Who? Is he a royal outfielder?”
Jorgath - January 24, 2012
What? There is a rule that has something to do with a player who’s fly is open?
PerryMason - January 25, 2012
lol
Sounds like My Mother to. Haha whoo? I have to admit I’m still shocked and stung all over..Ive Learned after this horrible experience never to trust the rumors.. idk tho this was out of no where crazy nuts tidal wave type of shock..I was so stuck on him comin to town and I’m glad to say the least..that everyone considered our lineup to be scary nasty fearful with him in it..and now the baseball world knows we mean business even tho we lost this battle but we’ve gained a lot of buzz about our young team w.o Fielder we still will wreck.. I’m tellin u guys wait till u c Gio!! did u guys know his Era in the NL bare u only 4 games was 0.94Era??
Sportzxpert - January 24, 2012 via Android app
Even the sometimes-reliable reporters were pwned on this...
Don’t trust the rumor mill or the Twitter Machine…usually wrong, wrong, wrong.
Rizzo told us many times it wasn’t a fit.
MissB - January 24, 2012 via mobile
Yeah, but
I’m pretty sure the Nats WERE in fact hoping to sign him.
RobBobS - January 25, 2012
I'm pretty sure that large segments of the fan base were hoping to sign him
And I’m sure that the Nationals were hoping that the market would come back to them at a reasonable figure. I don’t for a moment believe that the Nationals were intent on signing him to an 8+ year deal worth $180+ million.
d_c_guy - January 25, 2012
One would hope not
I don’t care how rich the Lerners are, agreeing to a contract comparable to what the Tigers gave him would be insane. Werth’s contract (as has been said
ad nauseumcountless times) was admittedly an overpayment, to help change the culture and attract future free agents to DC, not as a precedent to overpay everyone.jbg2772 - January 25, 2012
Interesting notion.
I’m here to offer my services to the Nats for half of what Fielder was asking for! Hurry though, Mark and Ted — this is a limited time offer!
RobBobS - January 25, 2012
I'll take your agent cut
jbg2772 - January 25, 2012
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