Prince Fielder

[alphilip77]

I'm not sure if this was mentioned or discussed in an earlier thread, but what are everyone's thoughts on Prince Fielder? More specifically, would you want him on this team? Personally, I'd love to pursue him on the offseason. Ortiz is in his late 30s and we should try to get some value from him while we still can seeing as how he is very likely to achieve Type A FA status. Fielder is younger and would provide even MORE firepower for our potent lineup, which would mask our deficienies in terms of runs allowed. Plus, Fielder can actually be serviceable at 1B should we play in an NL park and could play 1B twice a week to keep Agon fresh.

 

Here is a list of reasons for why each MLB shouldn't pursue Fielder:

 

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/08/why-your-team-wont-sign-prince-fielder.html

 

Although the reason for us not pursuing him seems legit, it's pretty weak compared to the reasons for other ballclubs (i.e. Yankees, Tampa, LA, etc). Of all the teams mentioned that seem to have a reasonable shot at him, they all suck (save Milwaukee). If Prince wanted to make money AND win a WS, there would be no other competition seeing as how the Yankees have Jesus and want to keep the DH spot open for A Rod as he gets older. What say you?

[jopete19]

We don't need Fielder. We have Gonzo. Sign Ortiz to a couple more years. He's had a good year so far.

[Palodios]

Player A

.300/.388/.557/.945/24 HR

 

Player B

.305/.415/.561/.977/28 HR

 

They both will probably start to show serious signs of decline very soon, neither are better defensive 1B than A-gon. Why on earth would this team go with a 120+ million dollar contract to Fielder when it could get Ortiz for 20?

[BeepBeepYoureDumb]

But Fielder represents an opportunity for the Sox to lock themselves into a bad body DH with serious potential for decline for way more years than we could reasonably expect Ortiz to keep playing. Why wouldn't we want to do that?!

[Palodios]

Oh, and this is pretty relevant too. Fielder is yet another lefty who hits righties significantly better than lefties.

 

Career numbers

 

versus LHP .258/.340/.460/.801

versus RHP .294/.410/.575/.984

 

He really just doesn't fit with this team, and unless they get a real bargain, he's not coming to Boston.

[alphilip77]

Player A

.300/.388/.557/.945/24 HR

 

Player B

.305/.415/.561/.977/28 HR

 

They both will probably start to show serious signs of decline very soon, neither are better defensive 1B than A-gon. Why on earth would this team go with a 120+ million dollar contract to Fielder when it could get Ortiz for 20?

 

First of all, how can anybody assume that Fielder is going to be showing signs of a decline anytime soon? He's 28 years old and he can crush the ball. By that merit, maybe we should start to worry about Gonzo since he is 29. But we don't, because we know he'll be good for the entirety of the contract he signed. So why should we worry about Fielder? And for what it's worth, Ortiz and Prince have nearly identical body types and so far, Ortiz has shown that "big" guys can still hit for many years. I only suggested replacing Ortiz based on age and the fact that Fielder has and can play in the infield. When he is 33-34, then we could convert him to a full time DH.

 

Or, we could press our luck by bringing back Ortiz and risk having a Posada-gate.

[alphilip77]

But Fielder represents an opportunity for the Sox to lock themselves into a bad body DH with serious potential for decline for way more years than we could reasonably expect Ortiz to keep playing. Why wouldn't we want to do that?!

 

Oh, a sarcastic post... How refreshing....:thumbdown

[BeepBeepYoureDumb]

Oh' date=' a sarcastic post... How refreshing....:thumbdown[/quote']

 

Jeez! What is going on today? I didn't mean for that to come off as me being a tool to you so if you took it that way I'm sorry. I can't win here today.

[Palodios]

First of all' date=' how can anybody assume that Fielder is going to be showing signs of a decline anytime soon? He's 28 years old and he can crush the ball. By that merit, maybe we should start to worry about Gonzo since he is 29. But we don't, because we know he'll be good for the entirety of the contract he signed. So why should we worry about Fielder? And for what it's worth, Ortiz and Prince have nearly identical body types and so far, Ortiz has shown that "big" guys can still hit for many years. I only suggested replacing Ortiz based on age and the fact that Fielder has and can play in the infield. [b']When he is 33-34, then we could convert him to a full time DH.[/b]

 

Why wouldn't he be a fulltime DH to begin with? Where is A-gon going to be for this? Neither A-gon or Fielder fit in any position except for 1B, so one will be DHing, and the other will be 1Bing, and the logical thing to do is put the gold glover at 1b, and the big guy at DH.

 

Theo has messed up on so many big contracts already...why risk 120+ million more on a overweight DH whose father's performance plummeted at an early age?

 

Fielder is a great hitter, sure, but that offensive pedigree at DH is worth significantly less.

[Cocos Disciples]

Great player, but not going to happen and probably won't even be discussed. I'm pretty confident the Sox will re-sign Ortiz.

[alphilip77]

Why wouldn't he be a fulltime DH to begin with? Where is A-gon going to be for this? Neither A-gon or Fielder fit in any position except for 1B, so one will be DHing, and the other will be 1Bing, and the logical thing to do is put the gold glover at 1b, and the big guy at DH.

 

Theo has messed up on so many big contracts already...why risk 120+ million more on a overweight DH whose father's performance plummeted at an early age?

 

Fielder is a great hitter, sure, but that offensive pedigree at DH is worth significantly less.

 

If you have a guy who can play somewhat in the infield, why not let him? It would give Gonzo a day off once in a while. Granted, his defense not the best but it's better than what Papi offers. Plus, the White Sox are doing it to a degree with Konerko/Dunn.

[Emmz]

Papi's "bad defense" is blown waaay out of proportion.

[VA Sox Fan]

I heard today that Fielder is a vegetarian. Made me giggle. He seems cool but don't think we need him.

[jacksonianmarch]

Fielder hasnt ruled out being a full time DH, but he loves to play the field and will likely find a place that wants him as a 1b

[Palodios]

If you have a guy who can play somewhat in the infield' date=' why not let him?[/b'] It would give Gonzo a day off once in a while. Granted, his defense not the best but it's better than what Papi offers. Plus, the White Sox are doing it to a degree with Konerko/Dunn.

 

Because if Fielder is playing instead of A-gon, that hurts the team defensively. Part of the reason they paid A-gon so much was because he had a good glove. Your argument would mean more if Papi played 1B in AL games, but he never does. Getting Fielder would also significantly weaken the team in any interleague games with no-DH because they'd be paying a guy 20 million to sit on the bench, one way or the other.

[SoxFanForsyth]

Because if Fielder is playing instead of A-gon' date=' that hurts the team defensively. Part of the reason they paid A-gon so much was because he had a good glove. Your argument would mean more if Papi played 1B in AL games, but he never does. Getting Fielder would also significantly weaken the team in any interleague games with no-DH because they'd be paying a guy 20 million to sit on the bench, one way or the other.[/quote']

 

Yup. Exactly. If we don't use Ortiz at DH, we're going to get someone, be it internally or externally, who can play a few different positions and can hit pretty well. Michael Young is the perfect example of the Sox ideal DH. So is Youkilis, as he can play 1B, 3B, and DH.

[Spitball]

I assume Fielder will have to proclaim a willingness to DH or his signing options will be very limited. I'm sure he would rather play the field, but he will have to open the possibilty of signing with the Red Sox or Yankees as DH or face a very, very limited market, as the MLB Trade Rumor link shows.

 

Personally, I'd rather the Sox pass and concentrate on a starting pitcher.

[a700hitter]

I heard today that Fielder is a vegetarian. Made me giggle. He seems cool but don't think we need him.

I don't think you are a vegetarian, because you only eat Dairy Cows.

[VA Sox Fan]

I don't think you are a vegetarian' date=' because you only eat Dairy Cows.[/quote']

 

 

No way he's a vegan.

[CanadianSox]

I see Fielder ending up in one of three spots. Nationals, Jays or Giants, with the Giants being a long shot and the Jays might not have a chance if Prince has no desirer to head north of the border.

[SoxSport]

Fielder's dad didn't last because of his body type. And son has the same body type.

He isn't someone the Red Sox would pay big bucks to approaching 30.

[Dojji]

Between Lavarnway, Youkilis, and the idea of using the spot as swing position to afford fielding players rest, we have enough options at designated hitter that I'm not anxious to get Fielder.

[SCM33]

Papi's "bad defense" is blown waaay out of proportion.

 

Based on what? He was never given a chance to field, because behind closed doors they know more than we do.

 

He had an opportunity to be a 1B'man here his first season. Kevin Millar, who was pretty much and outfielder before he came to Boston, beat out Ortiz who was a 1B'man his entire life before coming to Boston (although he was also a DH in MINN).

 

As for Fielder, his father.....who had a much better body than his son started breaking down at the age of 32, granted Prince is a much better player than his father.....but he is a big, big boy and as he ages his weight will slow him down just as it did his dad.

 

First picture is Cecil in his second to last season as a pro, and the second picture is Prince from this year.

[a700hitter]

Based on what? He was never given a chance to field, because behind closed doors they know more than we do.

 

He had an opportunity to be a 1B'man here his first season. Kevin Millar, who was pretty much and outfielder before he came to Boston, beat out Ortiz who was a 1B'man his entire life before coming to Boston (although he was also a DH in MINN).

 

As for Fielder, his father.....who had a much better body than his son started breaking down at the age of 32, granted Prince is a much better player than his father.....but he is a big, big boy and as he ages his weight will slow him down just as it did his dad.

 

First picture is Cecil in his second to last season as a pro, and the second picture is Prince from this year.

Ortiz is really not bad at 1B. He wouldn't win any gold gloves due to limited range, and you don't want that big guy diving for balls. He has very good hands, a good accurate arm and decent footwork around the bag. Believe it or not, Ortiz did not lose out first base to Millar based on the fielding, but on the bat. When the Sox got Ortiz in 2003, they had no idea what they had as an offensive force. Going into the season, Millar was thought to be the better offensive player-- a full time player. Ortiz and Jeremy Giambi were vying for DH. When Giambi went down with an injury and Ortiz took the job and his offensive game took off. By that time, they were a couple of months into the season. Why mess with success.