MLB Trade Ideas: Prince Fielder Best Served Leaving Home? Who's Interested?
It's not like it used to be.
We grew up watching players come up with an organization, grow into manhood and then retire with the same team. Fewer players today are sticking with a club that long.
The enormous amount of money being made by modern players in big markets dictates that a player in a smaller market pursues free agency to cash in.
Such is the situation Prince Fielder finds himself in. He signed a $15.5 million dollar contract for 2011, but with the Brewers acquisition of Zack Greinke and Shaun Marcum, they probably won't be able to pay Fielder what he can get on the open market.
Of course, that all depends on who pursues him. Every club doesn't have a need for Fielder.
Let's look at who might be interested.
New York Yankees
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With Mark Teixeira holding down first base in the Bronx, this might not seem like a great move, but we must remember that the Yankees are willing to spend. Brian Cashman could use a big signing after losing out this past offseason.
Yankee Stadium has that short porch in right and Fielder could DH.
It's a temptation that even his father couldn't fight.
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
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Kendrys Morales currently plays first base for the Angels, but Fielder would be a major upgrade.
Morales hit .290 last year with 11 home runs but Fielder's presence in that lineup would be huge.
California doesn't mind spending money and would write a big check for Fielder's big bat.
Texas Rangers
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Another team that lost a bidding war for a big player in the offseason was the Texas Rangers.
They probably want to acquire pitching first, but may not be able to resist going after Fielder.
He'd be a big hitter in the middle of the Rangers order, serving to protect Josh Hamilton.
Young Mitch Moreland is a good player, but Prince could be an all-time great.
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New York Mets
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The Mets have spent their money foolishly for the past several years, but with Sandy Alderson now at the helm, will they make better moves?
One good move could be to bring Young Prince to the Big Apple.
I know the Mets expect Ike Davis to be a good player, but Prince is better for the present. He's still young enough to give you some longevity.
San Francisco Giants
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Prince would be the big stick in the Giants lineup and he would make everyone else better.
Anybody pitching to that lineup with Fielder in it is going to go after the hitters around him. They won't challenge Prince.
This deal was rumored to be in the works in the offseason before Fielder signed his current contract.
St. Louis Cardinals
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Even though we're not supposed to assume, let's make some assumptions.
The Cardinals don't appear to be willing to pay Big Al's price.
Pujols seems destined for the free agency and that would create a void at first base for the St. Louis Red Birds.
It's not going to require Pujols type money to get Fielder, and the return is almost as good.
Prince would love playing in St. Louis. They have the best fans in baseball.
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