MLB Free Agents 2012: Prince Fielder Deal Will Be Nearly as Insane as Pujols'

Albert Pujols is pretty much set for life by going to the LA Angels for a silly sum. Don't think for a second that the ridiculousness is over, because Prince Fielder is still around. 

As of Thursday, the world lost its mind. Pujols was on his way to Los Angeles for a deal that is reported to be for 10 years and $254 million. If that sum seems immense, that's because it is. 

It's huge and there is no way Pujols will ever live up to being a quarter-of-a-billion-dollars player. Can we really say that Alex Rodriguez has ever lived up to his king's ransom? 

However, I leave the business to the guys with the black credit cards and gold watches. They seem confident they know what they are doing. 

Next up is Prince Fielder, a Scott Boras client who can mash as well as Pujols can. At least that is what 2011 told us and what Boras will be feeding to the general managers drooling to get in on the first base action. 

ESPN's Keith Law breaks down exactly what we should expect from the Fielder sweepstakes.

"

Pujols' signing should open the market for Prince Fielder, which has been as quiet as you'd expect for a Scott Boras client; Boras' strategy is typically to wait on any market until he has the last significant free agent of his kind, so that any team looking for, say, an impact bat for the middle of their lineup must come to him. Fielder may not sign quickly, but the main obstacle to him getting a huge deal is now gone.

"

Jon Morosi of FOXSports.com reported on Wednesday that Seattle, Baltimore, Washington, Miami and Toronto were all still in play for Fielder. 

That market is flush with suitors that need a slugger like Fielder. That is all Boras needs for a formula that always ends in a team grossly overpaying for a player.

Fielder should be on the market for a while now as other lesser-priced options are swooped up. At that point, desperation will equate to a great many dollars placed into Prince Fielder's bank account. 

Follow @gabezal