New York Yankees: Would it Make Sense For Them to Chase Prince Fielder?

The Yankees offseason began the moment Alex Rodriguez struck out to end the ALDS against the Tigers.

The Yankees won the American League East in 2011, defying all of the odds that said the Boston Red Sox would steam-roll through the East, through the Yankees, and right into the World Series.

Despite starting 1-8 against Boston, the Yankees never got down, played great baseball all year long, and were able to make the postseason.

Unfortunately, the Yankees lost because they couldn't come up with clutch hits in every game they lost against Detroit.

And with the offseason beginning early, the focus can now begin on improving the 2012 season.

Now, many of you have done the Yankees "must-need" lists and free agency wish lists and trading needs for them already, many of which I have read.

One name really struck me, and got me thinking.

Prince Fielder.

He was one of the consistent names I saw in many of your stories and got me thinking about the slugger.

As of right now, his Brewers are in the NLCS against the Cardinals, so his season is going on as we speak, but after the playoffs, Fielder will become a free agent, and even his own teammate, Ryan Braun, doesn't expect Fielder back.

Fielder made $15.5 million in 2010, and a pay raise is coming for Fielder.

With the designated hitter spot almost certainly going to be cleared by Jorge Posada now, it leaves a spot in the lineup open, possibly for Fielder, if the Yankees really wanted to get him.

But, the question now becomes; do the Yankees pursue Fielder for 2012?

And would it make sense for them to get Fielder?

Lets evaluate the pros and cons of this.

Pros

1. Imagine a lineup with Mark Teixeira, Alex Rodriguez, Robinson Cano, Curtis Granderson and Prince Fielder in it? That's a pitcher's nightmare written all over it.

2. Fielder is 28 years old and is entering the prime years of his career, so he's not just an aging superstar.

3. Fielder is a left-handed power hitter, so his home-run swing would be custom-made for Yankee Stadium.

4. Fielder could easily fit into the designated hitter position, and he could even spell Mark Teixeira at first base if they ever wanted to give him a day off in the field.

5. His offensive numbers are to drool over. Since 2007, he's hit at least 30 home runs and over 100 RBI in each season.

6. His style fits the Yankees lineup. He draws a ton of walks, having over 100 in the last three years. He also has a high on-base percentage, having one over .400 in the last three years as well.

7. He has some family ties to the Yankees, as his father, Cecil Fielder, was on the Yankees and won a World Series with the team back in 1996. (As of right now, Prince and his father do not speak to each other.)

8. If the Yankees wanted to make a serious bid for Fielder, who would outbid them? We know the Yankees have the money, and aside from Cliff Lee last winter, they rarely lose out on pursuing a free agent.

9. Up until now, Fielder has never said he wouldn't sign with a team to be their primary DH.

Cons

1. Do the Yankees really want to pay someone over $20 million to be their DH, when they are looking to keep the spot open at times for Derek Jeter or Alex Rodriguez?

2. Does Fielder even want to be a DH?

3. His weight. How will his health hold up once he turns 30 and older?

4. High strikeout total. Every year since 2006, he has had well over 100 strikeouts.

5. It would be another huge contract on the Yankees payroll that would include Alex Rodriguez and Mark Teixeira on there as well making over $20 million.

6. Fielder doesn't pitch, and the Yankees need to focus on pitching first before the offense.

7. A Scott Boras client. The Yankees have a strange relationship with dealing with Boras. The reason why Johnny Damon wasn't a Yankee in 2010 or 2011? Boras. He tends to drive up the price on teams, and can really make them mad because of it.

8. How would he handle the bright lights of New York City and the Bronx? Milwaukee is no New York, by any means.

9. He only plays one position in the field: first base. He can't play anything else, except for DH.

Possible Teams Interested

Aside from the Yankees, who could use Fielder's services?

The Orioles. They've been trying in the past. Fielder would certainly be a big splash for them.

The Nationals. And we know they're ready to spend big to make their team a contender.

The Cubs. If they don't get Albert Pujols, he could be a Plan B for them.

The Cardinals. If Albert Pujols bolts out of town, he could easily be their first choice as well to take his spot.

The Rangers. Nolan Ryan is dedicated to making the Rangers a serious contender in the American League. If they win the World Series, Texas looks like a nice landing spot and addition to a potent lineup.

The Giants. We all know San Francisco is in a desperate need for offense. Fielder would be a shot in the arm of this team's lineup.

And then, there are the Yankees. Because they have the payroll, and you can never count out the Yankees if they really do have interest.

Odds on Fielder in New York

I'm going to say 30-70 odds on Fielder coming to New York.

I think 50-50 is going way too high because we don't even know if the Yankees are going to even be interested in him to begin with.

But I don't say 10-90 or 20-80 because we saw what kind of production the middle of the order gave the Yankees in the playoffs.

And I also say 30-70 because with the Yankees, you just never know.

Will Fielder Be a Yankee in 2012?

When I typed in Prince Fielder and Yankees, I found this image, which referred back to a story done in the New York Daily News by John Harper.

In his story, he felt the Yankees should get Fielder, even with Teixeira on the team.

Harper's reasons for the Yankees getting Fielder made sense, a lot of which can be referred back to the "Pro" section of this particular story.

But when it comes right down to it, do the Yankees make a serious and strong effort for Fielder?

My initial gut reaction says no.

And I only say that because I think right now, the Yankees biggest need is starting pitching.

With the Yankees continuing to develop Manny Banuelos and Dellin Betances, they will try to either sign a starter or trade for one in the winter.

But, you can never count out the Yankees when it comes to pursuing a free agent that can instantly help the team immediately.

But Fielder will not come cheap. Do they want to commit at least $22 million-$25 million for a potential full-time DH?

I think in the end, Fielder doesn't wear pinstripes, only for the sake that the Yankees don't want to pay a full-time DH that kind of money for six to seven years, especially if he breaks down or becomes injury-prone by year five or six.

But, it's only October as I write this, so who knows what can and will happen with the Yankees and their offseason plans once the World Series ends, and the five-day window for teams to get exclusive negotiating rights ends, and all the free agents like Fielder hit the market.