Prince Fielder Rumors: Washington Nationals Must Seal Deal for Superstar

The Prince Fielder sweepstakes has gone on far longer than anyone could have predicted when the offseason began. As we approach the end of January, it has become clear that the one team is going above and beyond the others to sign him: The Washington Nationals. 

According to Jim Bowden of ESPN, the Nationals are still working with Fielder and Scott Boras to get a deal done, though there is no time frame for the two sides to come to an agreement. 

Without knowing the financial parameters that the Nationals, or any other team in the running, you would be hard pressed to find a reason why Fielder would not end up in Washington. 

The Texas Rangers and one other team are also in the bidding, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today. 

Whenever sources close to a player pass along information, you have to take it with a grain of salt because it could just be a negotiating tactic from the agent. No one knows how to play games better than Boras. 

The Nationals know that their window of opportunity to contend is rapidly approaching. They will have Stephen Strasburg in the rotation for an entire year, alongside Jordan Zimmerman and Gio Gonzalez, and the bullpen should be fine thanks to the tandem of Tyler Clippard and Drew Storen.

The biggest problem for this team is offensively. First base, in particular, is a problem area. Adam LaRoche only played 43 games last season, and he was awful with a .172/.288/.258 slash line in 151 at-bats. 

Things could get better in a hurry if the Nationals are able to sign Fielder. He would give them the dominant bat in the middle of the order that they don't have. Putting him with Ryan Zimmerman and, when he is called up, Bryce Harper would make this a very formidable National League lineup. 

Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo knows that his team has to take advantage of their opportunity while it is open, and Fielder would be the perfect fit for what they need this year and in the future. 

The price will be steep, of course, but if they have to pay a little more to get into the postseason and bring life to the fans, wouldn't it be worth it in the long run?

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