Prince Fielder Fallout from FanFest

Here's another guest post from Jonathan Foreman on the O's outlook on Prince Fielder from today's FanFest.  Thanks to Jonathan for another great post.

There was one consistent message from both times Manager Buck Showalter was asked about the chances of the Orioles signing Prince Fielder today at FanFest.  Showalter stated, “Never overlook an orchid when looking for a rose.”  This was followed by a glowing review of Chris Davis.  A player who Buck feels could hit twenty homeruns in addition to above average defense.

Is Chris Davis Buck’s choice for starting First Baseman next season or are we going to bid for Fielder?  The answer is different depending on which panel you attended. 

During the morning panel with season ticket holders, when Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations Dan Duquette was asked about Prince Fielder, Duquette said “I don’t know about that.”  The answer was short, definitive, and seemed to indicate that the signing was simply not even being considered.

During the afternoon session with the general fan base Duquette seemed much more upbeat about Fielder when asked.  Duquette echoed that he had owner, Peter Angelos’s support and wanted to do whatever he could to make sure the team had a winning record next year.  Does that include signing Prince? “I don't know.” Duquette said, “But if we don't get him, we'll look for somebody like him and we'll certainly do our best to give you guys some stars players that you can identify with.”

Tough to tell which way Duquette is leaning, but I for one have been and continue to be optimistic the O’s will be competitive in the Fielder sweepstakes.

- Jonathan

Some Orioles Updates

The Orioles have made a few moves over the past few weeks...


- Not the O’s biggest move, but they agreed to a 1-year-deal, worth $1.5MM with OF Endy Chavez. Also, Chavez (pictured above) can earn up to $500K in bonuses. He will be used either in a platoon with LF Nolan Reimold or will backup CF Adam Jones.

- On December 14th, the O’s signed Japanese starting pitcher Tsuyoshi Wada. Wada agreed to a two-year-deal, worth $8.15MM with club option for 2014, where he would earn $5MM.

- On December 12th, the O’s non-tendered OF/DH Luke Scott, RHP Willie Eyre, and LHP Jo-Jo Reyes. Eyre was designated for assignment a week earlier. However, none of these non-tenders were surprising.

- On December 8th, The Orioles traded minor leaguers to the Los Angeles Dodgers for LHP Dana Eveland. . He is going to be able to compete for a rotation spot with the O’s.

Some Rumors…

- OF Coco Crisp is reportedly close to signing with a team, but it has not yet been revealed who the team is. The Orioles have been talking to him the past few days and are interested in signing him. We should find out who Crisp signs with in the next few days.

- A few weeks ago, FOX Sports Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi reported that the Braves and the Orioles had a discussion about Braves SP Jair Jurrjens and IF/OF Martin Prado. However, the Braves would never be expected to trade both of them in same deal. It is also reported that GM Dan Duquette asked for two of the Braves top pitching prospects as well.

- After agreeing to terms with SP Tsuyoshi Wada, it was reported that the O’s are interested in another Japanese SP Wei-Yin Chen. Chen is only 26-years-old and will also cost more than Wada. Dan Duquette has been very active in the international market and is also apparently interested in starter Hishashi Iwakuma.

- Besides the international starters, the O’s seem to be interested in SP Joe Saunders. Saunders was non-tendered by the Diamondbacks this off-season and is reportedly seeking a multi-year deal.

- When it comes to current Orioles Jim Johnson and Brad Bergesen, Dan Duquette said that Buck Showalter will decide in the spring if they will be a part of the rotation or the bullpen. However, MASN writer Roch Kubatko believes he could end up being the O’s closer in 2012.

- The O’s appear to be monitoring the market for Prince Fielder, but they should not be considered a favorite to land him. It is also reported that the Orioles will not go over 8-years for Fielder.


More updates will come as the off-season comes to a close...

A Prince in Baltimore?

So far this off-season has produced some shocking results: First-baseman Albert Pujols signing a 10-year deal worth $254 million with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, as well as starting pitcher C.J. Wilson signing a five-year, $77.5 million deal with the Angels.

Other countless free agents have signed as well, ranging from shortstop Jose Reyes to closer Joe Nathan.

However, there is still one prized player left: First-baseman Prince Fielder (pictured above)

Fielder is only 27-years-old and is coming off a year where he hit .299 with 38 home runs and 120 runs batted in. He also finished 3rd in the NL MVP race.

What isn’t there to like about Prince? 

Well there are many arguments to giving him a long-term deal worth at least $150 million.

Since Fielder started in the league he has never had a defensive Wins above replacement (dWAR) rating higher than -0.3.

Another issue with Fielder is his weight. He is listed at 275 lbs. Many scouts believe he will have to play for an American League club because they think he will eventually have to be a full-time designated hitter.

Despite these beliefs, I believe Prince Fielder would be a great addition to the Orioles.

He is definitely a very-large guy, however I think if we play him at first base day-in and day-out it will prolong his value.

When it comes to defense, I know Fielder isn’t a great defender but he will be more than able to make up for it with his offensive value.

Since 2007, Fielder has hit over 30 home runs every year and he had more than 100 runs batted in, except for 2010, when he finished with 83. 83 runs batted in would have still been a team-high for the Orioles. Ty Wigginton finished with a team-high 76 runs batted in.

This is a crude estimation, simply used to illustrate Fielder's power. - Jeff

This picture above shows all of the home runs that Prince Fielder would've hit out of Camden Yards since 2008. It shows 3 home runs would have been "warehouse worthy". Thanks to Jeff for creating this!


Fielder has also increased his plate-discipline greatly. In 2010, he finished with 138 strikeouts and 114 bases on balls. In 2011, he finished with 106 strikeouts and 107 bases on balls. He also lead baseball with 32 intentional walks in 2011.

As mentioned earlier, Fielder is only 27.  Statistics have shown that most players are in their “prime” from ages 26-32.  Signing Fielder now would give us at least five years of a top- player in his prime.

Unlike Pujols, if the Orioles were to give Fielder a long-term contract the longest it would be is 10 years, at which Fielder would be 38, since his birthday is in May.

However, I do not expect Fielder to get a ten-year-deal in this market. I expect a deal ranging from 6 to 8 years.

Orioles fans can just imagine what it would be like to have Fielder in our line-up. He would give the Orioles a feared clean-up hitter, as well our best first-baseman since Rafael Palmeiro.


Note - This post was written by Chad, posted by Jeff due to technical difficulties.

Around The MLB: Offseason Notes

- What do Jose Reyes, Prince Fielder, Albert Pujols, Carlos Beltran, Mark Buerhle, and C.J. Wilson all have in common? These free agents have been targeted by the (soon to be) Miami Marlins this offseason. The Marlins are looking to sign big name free agents as they open their new stadium in 2012.

- Only one somewhat significant trade has occurred so far this offseason. The Giants sent LHP Jonathan Sanchez and minor league pitcher Ryan Verdugo to the Royals for OF Melky Cabrera. I like this trade for the Royals, especially if Sanchez can stay healthy and learn to control his pitches. For the Giants the trade is somewhat questionable, but shows how far Sanchez’s value fell after a down 2010. Cabrera had a career year last year, and San Francisco GM Brian Sabean is hoping he can replicate that performance.

- The Phillies were thought to have an agreement in place with RHP Ryan Madson, however the deal is still not done and the Phillies may be checking out RHP Jonathan Papelbon. Madson’s supposed deal was for 4 years and 44 million. A deal like that would set the market for closers,meaning Papelbon, Heath Bell, and former Mets’ closer Francisco Rodriguez could cash in.

- As for the Orioles, GM/ Executive VP of Baseball Operations Dan Duquette said the Orioles aren’t likely to go after free agents such as Prince Fielder or C.J. Wilson. Duquette believes that it is best to build the club from within. However, the O’s will not be dormant during free agency. Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun believes the Orioles have a strong liking to former Minnesota Twin Michael Cuddyer. Cuddyer is very versatile and is an above-average hitter. Also, Roch Kubatko of MASN Sports believes that the Orioles may go after free agents Jorge Posada and Ivan Rodriguez to back up Matt Wieters.

Potential Free Agent Targets for the Orioles

As we had head into the winter after the Orioles’ 14^th losing season, free agency will be a key part of the O’s plan to rebuild their franchise. In the past three years the O’s payroll has gone from about $67 million to about $86 million. Every Orioles fan knows that the Orioles have money, but have been afraid to offer a big contract because they don’t want another case like Albert Belle. The Orioles do have money to spend this off-season but with the uncertainty at GM it may mean falling back into being our usual, non-aggressive bystanders. However, there are some free agents I believe the O’s could go after this off-season:

Aramis Ramirez – Ramirez had a bounce back year after a disappointing 2009 season, hitting .306 with 26 HR, 93 RBI, and an OBP of .361. Ramirez also had a fielding percentage of .953, compared to Mark Reynolds’ Fielding Percentage of .897 at third base. I also believe that Mark Reynolds plays a very decent first base (.987 Field Percentage). Ramirez will prove to be a corner bat that the Orioles desperately need.

Edwin Jackson- Yes I know Jackson has played for 6 teams already in his short career but he is only 28 years-old and has started to become an innings eater, having thrown 214 innings in ’09, 209.1 in ’10 and falling 1 out short from 200 innings in 2011. Jackson also has a respectable, but not great 4.46 ERA throughout his 8 year career (he debuted for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2003). He has also eclipsed 10 wins every year since 2008 (unfortunately, something difficult for Orioles pitching). I would like the O’s to bring him in on a 3 or 4 year deal. Jackson is apparently looking for a 4 year deal this offseason.

Roy Oswalt- If you look for consistency in a pitcher you should look to Roy Oswalt. Since beginning his career in 2001, Oswalt has averaged 196 innings a year, with 14 wins a year, and a 3.21 ERA. Recently, however, Oswalt has been dealing chronic back issues which will scare some teams away. If we can bring Oswalt in on a salary less than his $16 MM he earned this past year then I believe it will be a very good signing for the O’s. I like Oswalt on 2 or 3- year deal at about 7 or 8MM per year.

· Other players I like include:

Grady Sizemore- He’s definitely high- risk/high- reward, Could be willing to play LF for the O’s

Aaron Hill- Has had consecutive below average years since in ’10 and ‘11 but with the uncertainty of Brian Roberts’ health, Hill could have a J.J. Hardy-like resurgence.

Jonathan Broxton- the O’s have overpaid many relievers in past years, but I like Broxton as a decent bullpen option. He may not be the flame-throwing closer he once was, but I believe he could have a bounce-back year if he stays healthy.

Lastly, I wish the Orioles would go after Prince Fielder, arguably the top Free Agent on the market, but I do not believe ownership is willing to spend the money on a player asking for more than $150 million. The last time we offered a deal even close to that was for Mark Teixeira in the winter of ’08, we offered $140 million and he signed with NYY for $180 millon.