MLB Rumors: Prince Fielder's Negotiations with Nationals Must End Soon

The never-ending saga that is the Prince Fielder negotiations with the Washington Nationals must be resolved soon. All of the conflicting reports and Scott Boras announcements need to stop, and the 27-year-old first baseman needs a new home because spring training is just one month away. 

On Wednesday, there were two different reports about just how interested the Nationals are in signing Fielder. 

Bill Ladson of MLB.com quoted a source from within the organization that said there is almost no chance they sign Fielder. 

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There is a "99 percent" chance that the Nationals will not sign free-agent first baseman Prince Fielder, according to a baseball source.

Even though principal owners Ted and Mark Lerner met with Scott Boras, Fielder's agent, on Wednesday at the Owners Meetings in Paradise Valley, Ariz., according to the The Washington Post, the source indicated that Fielder's price must come down in order for the team to consider acquiring his services.

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Meanwhile, Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post reported that the team was still active in its pursuit of Fielder to play first base for them. 

If that seems confusing, it is. The best thing we can do when we see these reports is not listen to them, because they are just simple negotiating tactics. 

However, at some point there has to be a sense of urgency for both Fielder and the Nationals. It is very rare for the top free-agent hitter to still be on the market this late into January. 

The hope that Boras would be able to get Fielder an Albert Pujols-type contract appears to have come and gone. At some point, the power shifts to the team in these negotiations because the player has to get ready to go to camp. 

The Nationals still have to be considered the leader in the clubhouse to sign Fielder, simply because no other teams are even talking about signing him, at least not publicly. 

Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com tweeted that an agent told him Seattle's interest in Fielder has been overstated. 

The Rangers are putting most, if not all, of their eggs in the Yu Darvish basket. 

Fielder and the Nationals appear to be a perfect match, and there has to be a breakthrough in these negotiations soon for the sake of all involved. 

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