| 24 October 2011
As we inch closer to the end of the World Series and the official start of the off-season, we all know the Orioles need to plug in several holes.
Whether the team gets that accomplished this winter, or in the years to come -- who knows; however, a lot of fans already have dreams of seeing Price Fielder or Albert Pujols in the black and orange.
I see neither happening. In fact, I think we all may have to watch another year of Chris Davis and Mark Reynolds at the corner position spots.
Honestly, I see Albert Pujols staying in St. Louis. When all is said and done, the Cardinals will pay him whatever he asks for. He's their hometown hero (much like the Sun's Connolly alluded to in his piece today when he compared Pujols to Cal Ripken).
Pujols is St. Louis' Derek Jeter or Joe Mauer. He's a perfect fit for that region.
As for Prince Fielder ... he wants the Brinks' truck loaded to his house, so he may go whereever the money is. However, if I were him, I would stay in Wisconsin. He's got a good situation there, full of talent and it may be his best chance to win.
The big money teams (well, maybe not the Cubs) already have their bats and first baseman, so the market for him -- and Pujols may be limited. From what I have read, the Nationals and Cubs may have room for one or the other, but we shall see.
Now, considering what the Orioles have gone through the past decade and half, would they shell out the money for Fielder?
It would be a very bad move right now. The Orioles have a lot to fix - from top to bottom - and spending north of $20 million for a slugger isn't a very good way to spend money. They may be better off just spreading any free money in terms of their budget on several players to plug in holes -- not one.
However, if the Orioles were to bid on Fielder, Boras may use the organization in much the same way that he leveraged a deal for Mark Teixiera.
Roch Kubatko of MASN touched upon this topic last week. Fielder – in terms of his offensive output – is a pretty much a sure thing, and he’s durable. However, his body is a concern (he looks more like a center for the Packers than a ballplayer) and he may not age very well at all.
I would think the man would need to take better care of his physique and cut down his body fat, but as is the case is with C.C. Sabathia – as long as you produce, it’s not a concern. It's only a problem when you stop doing so on.
Also, would Fielder want to endure another protracted rebuilding process during the prime of his career? Remember in the middle part of the last decade, the Orioles signed Miguel Tejada as their big bat.
For the most part, Tejada did his job – alas, let’s not forget, where did the Orioles end up?
They were certainly not contenders.
Many people have already chimed in on this topic and I’ll add my two cents.
Prince Fielder will not be coming to the Orioles.
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