Monday, January 17, 2011

Where will Prince Fielder go after the 2011 season?

The Brewers will be left will literally be left with a big hole on the roster if they do not sign Prince Fielder after the 2011 season. But it is Scott Boras, Fielder's agent, who really will have his work cut out for him to find a team willing to spend the money for Fielder. Becoming the youngest player to hit 50 homeruns in one season, Fielder has hit 162 HRs in the past four years. Ryan Howard is the only other player who has gone deep more than Fielder since 2007. On a downside, Fielder has a lower than average fielding percentage and has a bulkier physique. So there are large concerns about the left-handed first baseman. Big spenders such as the Yankees or Phillies already have first basemen signed to long-term, top dollar deals, making it so they would not need Fielder. Some teams, such as the Padres and the Nationals,  are now in first basemen vacuums but may not have the money for a player of Fielder's credentials. There are already a few frontrunners to pick up Fielder after the 2011. The Chicago Cubs have signed Carlos Pena to a one year deal, and with Kosuke Fukudome's contract ending, the Cubbies will have some money to spend. The Cubs are also lacking left-handed power within their roster. The Angels are another team looking at Fielder mainly because of his power. After suffering a major loss to Kendry Morales' broken leg (celebrating a walkoff win) The Angels will want to use one of the two as a DH. The Rangers are looking for a first baseman because they haven't had a "major" first baseman in some years. They still have leftover "Cliff Lee money" and are a contending team, looking for an edge. There are other teams, but I have chosen not to cover them, mainly because they are not likely to obtain Fielder. But who knows? We shouldn't be too hasty to take the Brewers out of contention because they made a pretty good run at CC Sabathia after the 2008 season. But they don't have as much money to toss around after signing Zack Greinke, Shaun Marcum, Corey Hart, and Yovani Gallardo. We have approximately 11 months before the 2012 Spring Training season starts, so hopefully Fielder will be signed by then, and I have no doubt that he will be. Good luck Prince, you are always one of my favorite players to watch.

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