Orioles to Spend This Winter?

[333WCamden]

Are you ok with 7+ years and 150+ million?

Good question. Since we are an AL team, I'll say yes. The deal may not look as good in years 5, 6, and 7, but hopefully 1-4 will make up for it. If we did not have the option to use him as a DH, I would be more hesitant. I think this gives us an advantage over the Cubs.

Is he performing at a rate of $6mm more than Markakis per year?

[crowmst3k!]

Its not about what you would rather see.

If you are going to be serious about wanting Fielder, you need to go into the negotiations with the thought that you are willing to offer him at least 7 years and at least 22M a year.

If you aren't willing to go that high, then you have to re-think things.

The Orioles may be "serious" about spending money and Fielder may be a target for them BUT the Orioles have to be saying right now, are we willing to go to at least 7/154. If the answer is yes, then ok. If its not, you had better be figuring our alternatives.

The holes and weaknesses of this team are obvious and are NOT going away. So, you can obviously(and very easily) plan right now what your course of action is going to be.

7/154 is fine, so long as the Orioles aren't bidding against themselves. The Yankees and Red Sox being out of the bidding helps things. Angels, Cubs, Blue Jays, Cardinals (depending on Pujols) are your primary contenders.

[LookinUp]

Go high, but only with weight clauses (e.g., vesting option or incentives).

[SrMeowMeow]

If being fat made Prince bad, he'd already be bad. He's already fat. Miguel Cabrera is big. So is C.C. They're decent players.

[crowmst3k!]

If being fat made Prince bad, he'd already be bad. He's already fat. Miguel Cabrera is big. So is C.C. They're decent players.

exactly. Ortiz is still quite productive offensively through a similar timeframe. Bill James points out in his historical abstract that some of the best hitters had that short, fat frame. It allowed for some really good torque when swinging the bat and translated into great HR power.

[Sports Guy]

I think Fielder should be fine for another 4-5 years...Its after that where I get concerned.

The max years I would go on him is 6..at least guaranteed years.

[JTrea81]

7/175 lands him IMO.

My bet is the O's offer 6/120

[Dipper9]

7/175 lands him IMO.

My bet is the O's offer 6/120

Hey Trea, please answer this question...

If MacPhail does not come back, and the Orioles still offer the same 6/120 type of deal, will you FINALLY admit that your obsession with blaming MacPhail for everything was wriong?

[atlantaoriole]

I think the max you offer Prince is 6 years at $130-140 million. If he takes it great. If not then oh well.

<a href="http://sportscrack.com/tees_vestinpeace.html"><img src="http://sportscrack.com/images/vestinpeace_large.jpg"></a>

[El Gordo]

I think the max you offer Prince is 6 years at $130-140 million. If he takes it great. If not then oh well.

<a href="http://sportscrack.com/tees_vestinpeace.html"><img src="http://sportscrack.com/images/vestinpeace_large.jpg"></a>

Ryan Howard got 5/125 plus an option for a 6th year at 23 with a 10 M buyout. He's 4 years older than Fielder and not much better at 1B. Fielder will get more than that. Why not offer 6/130M with an option for 7 which brings it to 150 M?

[TradeAngelos]

I'm thinking 3 years/150 pounds. Seriously, Orioles. Avoid. Avoid.

Yeah avoid him like the plague! We know .900-1.000 OPS guys who hit 35-50 bombs a year at a position of dire need for the Orioles that hit free agency are a dime a dozen, and with all the sluggers we have in the majors and in the system we don't need him.

[JTrea81]

Hey Trea, please answer this question...

If MacPhail does not come back, and the Orioles still offer the same 6/120 type of deal, will you FINALLY admit that your obsession with blaming MacPhail for everything was wriong?

Depends on who the new GM is...

[Scrat1]

Rosenthal doesn't think the Cubs will pursue Pujols or Fielder this offseason, which would greatly increase the odds of the Orioles getting involved. However, the Cubs are also the perfect example of why throwing a bunch of money at free agents isn't always a good idea. A lot depends on how the Orioles finish the year. If they keep playing like this, then we should absolutely steer clear of a Fielder or a Pujols.

[TonySoprano]

Depends on who the new GM is...

Why would that matter unless you are willing to acknowledge that Angelos is the main factor?

[Brady9Fan]

I'll be happy *if* it happens. Now, it may hold some merritt due to Showalter being here. I can't see Buck wanting to hang around if no real signings happen. I'm sure he voiced his opinions about the off-season moves, but most of them probably looked better on paper. Angelos & MacPhail have to realize that they need to go after younger players & not more past their prime players.