MLB Trade Rumors: Are the Dodgers the Favorite to Sign Prince Fielder?

but they’re quickly becoming notorious for acting like they have no money before making a big splash. The Prince Fielder meeting at the Four Seasons in Dallas wouldn’t have been leaked if it hadn’t happened that Pirates closer Joel Hanrahan was getting married in that hotel that weekend, meaning players and agents found out and leaked it to the press.

They say they have no money, but they’re definitely trying to get Prince.

I watch about 155 Brewers games each season, and while it was fun to watch some of Prince Fielder’s home runs over the years, I’m not surprised he hasn’t been snatched up just yet.

His .299 AVG last season tied a career best but both of those seasons have been the product of BABIPs over .300, which could be hard for someone of his stature to repeat on a regular basis. He’s much closer to a .275-.280 hitter than a .300 one.

Not that it matters in fantasy, but his defense is atrocious. He has no range whatsoever, can’t reach for wild throws and he literally cannot throw a baseball. He just can’t. Perhaps Dodgers fans remember the triple play the Brewers turned on LA last season? The only reason that was possible is because Kemp/LA knew how horrendous Fielder’s arm is and decided to give it a shot and Kemp almost beat it out. I don’t have the #s in front of me and they might not even exist as you can’t track foul balls he doesnt run down or balls that wouldve been double plays if he could scoop out the throw, but I’d guess his defense costs a team 20+ runs at least per season. Sure Loney doesn’t hit the mammoth home runs, but he won’t make you pull out your hair with his glove.

Obviously Fielder’s power is his #1 contribution and he averages one HR every 15 ABs throughout his career, but in his last 187 ABs (2009-2011) in NL West stadiums (2009-2011) he has only hit 5 HR (1 in LA), or one every 37.4 ABs so to think he is a lock for 40+ HR in LA would be optimistic.

The glove/arm won’t get better at this point and the AVG and HR could decline. If he gets the length/$$$ he is asking for, Dodgers fans could be extremely disappointed considering the current financial situation of the team.

I’m all for LAD signing Fielder if it puts Loney on the trade market because I think he’s exactly the type of player Milwaukee needs to start targeting as we can’t afford the Fielder’s of the world what with our small-market status. And in Miller Park, Loney could be a much different hitter with his double power turning into 20 HR production.

I hope I didn’t miss this along the conversation of Fielder to the Dodgers but has no one considered that the Dodgers are in bankruptcy? I haven’t heard a timetable to the proceedings but I recall that it’s long and drawn out just to get the money back to creditors sorted out when the Rangers were in a similar spot a couple of years ago. Then it’s the ownership thing to consider. On top of that, you have to consider that when the Rangers were there, they had to get approval for every single move from the MLB. I just don’t think they can feasibly sign Fielder until they get away from the MLB breathing down their neck and getting their ducks in a row financially from a new owner.