Yesterday brought news that Brewers first baseman Prince Fielder is open to the possibility of being a DH in 2012 and beyond per John Harper of the New York Daily News:
Fielder smiled at the mention of the short right-field porch here, but he wouldn't go near any talk of potential landing spots for next season, though he did leave open the possibility that he could be happy as just a DH.
"I'm not ruling anything out," he said, "but as for right now, I like playing first base."
With Mark Teixeira at first base, there is no chance Fielder would see the field in New York, but he could certainly fill the DH role for the Yankees. With current DH Jorge Posada a free agent at the end of the season, the possibility for Nick Swisher to join him, and the drop in power from Alex Rodriguez, the Yankees may set their sights on signing Fielder in the offseason. After watching the Red Sox sign first baseman Adrian Gonzalez and outfielder Carl Crawford last offseason, the Yankees are primed to make a splash in the free agent market in November/December.
The Yankees will certainly also focus on signing some starting pitchers, but adding a big bat to help an aging offense is a distinct possibility. Whenever mega-agent Scott Boras is involved, you know he will sign his client to the highest bidder, and the Yankees appear to be a solid landing spot for Fielder.
There is talk that the Red Sox may also get involved in the bidding for Fielder, but with Adrian Gonzalez set at first base for many years, and David Ortiz having a great season thus far, there is little room for Fielder in Boston's lineup. I don't see the Red Sox letting Ortiz walk at the end of the season as he is forcing them to resign him with his performance at the plate this season.