Prince Fielder Deal

[Reserrved]

Detroit Tigers land Prince Fielder with $214M offer, reports say - ESPN

[BlueCrew LA]

There were some reports that he was waiting for the Dodgers to be sold, but I'm glad we didn't sign him. I know he's a good player but I wouldn't be for dumping that amount of cash into a player that refuses to get into shape. I know he's able to perform despite having a large frame but fact is he's an athlete, if you're paying him millions of pounds the most you can do is stay in shape.

[gabrielconroy]

$214m?! Are you joking?

[BigDub]

OHHHHH YEAH BABY!!!!!!

I hear what you are saying, but if you are fat and can still put up the numbers he does it's all good with me. Let's also keep in mind that Fielder has only missed 1 game in his last 3 seasons with the Breweres. He played in 162 games last year. Clearly his size isn't affecting his ability to perform and his ability to be available to perform.

We were already the favorites in the AL Central. This only makes it more true. Our rotation is anchored by the best pitcher in baseball and we now have 2 elite bats in the middle of our lineup. The best part is that our top players are all locked up long-term and are still at the ages where they have many productive years ahead.

EAT 'EM UP TIGERS, EAT EM UP!

[BlueCrew LA]

I think Prince will be good for 4-5 years of that deal but the last 4-5 would worry me as a fan. That's a lot of money for a player that when he hits the wall will hit it hard.

I guess he can DH though which is a benefit of moving to the Tigers. Anyways good stuff, I actually like Detroit of all the Midwest teams they're my favorite. I'm just not in favor of the amount or number of years, but this is a sign that the Tigers are trying to win now.

[BigDub]

I think Prince will be good for 4-5 years of that deal but the last 4-5 would worry me as a fan. That's a lot of money for a player that when he hits the wall will hit it hard.

I guess he can DH though which is a benefit of moving to the Tigers. Anyways good stuff, I actually like Detroit of all the Midwest teams they're my favorite. I'm just not in favor of the amount or number of years, but this is a sign that the Tigers are trying to win now.

Fair points. I agree that the Tigers are poised to win now, but Verlander is 28, Fielder is 27, and Cabrera is 28. That means, being conservative, each has at least another 5 prime years to give. Couple that with players like Austin Jackson (24), Brennan Boesch (26), Rick Porcello (23), Max Scherzer (27), and Delmon Young (26) and you have a team with a pretty young core who looks poised to be good for quite awhile. Granted, the Tigers have had to sacrifice some good prospects to do this (though Jacob Turner, the gem of the system, remains). Either way, as a fan it is hard not to get excited about this deal and about the future of Tigers baseball.

Additionally, how great is Mike Illitch? What he gives the city of Detroit is beyond compare. He owns a huge Casino in the city, Little Caesers, and two sports teams. His hockey team is a model franchise, whose image and notoriety extends across sports. He has also shown willingness to invest in a baseball team with a great history, but one that had fallen on some serious hard times (had one of the worst seasons in MLB history in 2003). He gives Detroiters hope that a sports championship is not too far away. Both the Red Wings and Tigers now look like serious championship contenders as recently as the current hockey season and next baseball season.

Basically, today has been a great day bar the case against Harry.

DEEEEEETROIT CITY!

[Rivron]

There were some reports that he was waiting for the Dodgers to be sold, but I'm glad we didn't sign him. I know he's a good player but I wouldn't be for dumping that amount of cash into a player that refuses to get into shape. I know he's able to perform despite having a large frame but fact is he's an athlete, if you're paying him millions of pounds the most you can do is stay in shape.

Remember Rick Reuschel. Hardly a great advertisement for the game. This pix is flattering to him. He turned into a right old fat fook later in his career.

"Bodies don't make athletes, so it can be deceiving. Rick Reuschel looked like Willard Scott, but was so quick and agile that he was used as a pinch runner." - Roger Craig in Baseball Digest (September 1992, Peter Gammons, "Pitchers Help Themselves by Perfecting Their Defense")

I agree with the bolded bit of the quote at least.

[Reserrved]

I think Prince will be good for 4-5 years of that deal but the last 4-5 would worry me as a fan. That's a lot of money for a player that when he hits the wall will hit it hard.

I guess he can DH though which is a benefit of moving to the Tigers. Anyways good stuff, I actually like Detroit of all the Midwest teams they're my favorite. I'm just not in favor of the amount or number of years, but this is a sign that the Tigers are trying to win now.

the one thing he has going for him.

[BlueCrew LA]

Remember Rick Reuschel. Hardly a great advertisement for the game. This pix is flattering to him. He turned into a right old fat fook later in his career.

I remember him towards the back end when he played for the Giants. My grandmother & cousins used to give him a tough time at Dodger stadium. Her season tickets used to be behind the visitors dugout so we'd usually banter with the players in middle innings. Her seats were moved though after her 30th year of being a season ticket holder to close to behind the Dodgers dugout. Less banter but much better seats.

[steelktm]

Another reason why I will never see the Pirates win the world series. I'm surprised the Pirates payroll is more than what Fielder will be making per year. Atleast Fielder didn't come from Pittsburgh to Detroit so I won't have to be so upset about it.

[aztattooedsean]

Woohoo, he returns to my hometown club for most of my life and plays for the club in which his DAD(of similar body frame) played many years.

It is expensive but unfortunately like in all sports, one has to do it especially with them as close to winning as they are with their current lineup.

They could probably win their division with out this pick up but if they want to compete with the two East Coast stepford wives, they had to go beyond just having a lineup to win their division.

[USpur]

Too much money and too long for someone who doesn't really fit their squad. Not a big issue for this season but they have a bit of a log jam with Martinez, Maggs, and Prince next year.

[BlueCrew LA]

Dodgers secretly bid big for Prince - CBSSports.com

Like I said I'm alright with us not getting him. I didn't know we'd bid though, there were rumors but I was skeptical.

The Dodger bids have been narrowed down to the second round of bidding. If the team gets sold to one of the two preferred bids IMO the Dodgers will have a ton of cash going forward. So next season we'll be in a much better position with all free agents. The Dodgers aren't really that bad when you think about it. We just need a few players and we'd have a very strong team, we have a good nucleus to build around, Kemp/Kershaw/Either.

I think we'll be aggressive with pitchers and there are some good ones available after the season Hamels (California kid), Zack Greinke, Ervin Santana (Might resign), Dan Haren, etc. I'm pretty sure Hamels is thinking Dodgers, that's why he only signed a 1 year deal.