SEATTLE (WA) — Prized free agent first baseman Prince Fielder is losing suitors faster than he’s gaining them. One team known to be involved with Fielder, the Seattle Mariners, remain non-committal on the depth of talks involving Fielder. According to CBS Sports and MLB Network insider Jon Heyman Seattle has told Fielder (Scott Boras) how much they can pay him.
“Mariners made prince fielder an offer (or at least told him what they’d pay). Seattle people love him but said to have $ limits” Jon Heyman via twitter.
Seattle Times Mariners beat writer Geoff Baker asked Jack Zduriencik about the report and Seattle’s involvement with Fielder.
“Sure, we’ve continued to have dialogue,” Zduriencik said. “We continue to have ongoing discussions. But have they gotten to the point where I put a formal written offer down on a piece of paper? No, they haven’t.”
Since it was known that Fielder was going to test the free agent market Seattle has been at the top when it comes to possible destinations for the star free agent. With the offensive depression the Mariners have been in over the past two years the team was expected to make a serious run at Fielder to improve the offense.
Fielder’s agent Scott Boras is known for prolonging contract negotiations so his player can get the longest and highest contract and with that has Mariners fans are starting to get impatient. “Seattle make a (expletive)offer! FORREAAAALL”. Needless to say the Mariners fan base is tired of waiting and know the team is within two years from contending for more than division titles.
With the Baltimore Orioles, Chicago Cubs and Seattle Mariners known as the three prime targets for Fielder there is always a surprise team out there. The Texas Rangers are likely out of the running after making a MLB record $51.7 million dollar posting fee for Yu Darvish. Darvish will likely land a deal between $50-70 million on top of the posting fee putting the Rangers out of Fielder’s price range.
The Mariners need fielder more than any other team especially with the moves the Angles and Rangers have made already this offseason. Adding Fielder to the young nucleolus that Zduriencik has built over the last two years would give Seattle an improved offense next season and solidify the lineup long-term.
Fielder, 27, is expected to demand a contract close to that of Albert Pujols at 10-years and $254 million. While Seattle can afford Fielder the main question has been how much is Seattle willing to offer? If Mariners ownership is ready the Mariners have the financial ability to make Fielder one of the highest paid players in baseball.
The only thing holding Seattle back is the decision to go all-in. For a franchise that hasn’t tasted the playoffs since their 116 win season of 2001 the investment is well worth it.
You can follow Lars on Twitter: http://twitter.com/larshanson
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