Report: Rangers meeting with Prince Fielder in Dallas today

[Risen Star]

The Texas Rangers are meeting with former Brewers first baseman Prince Fielder in a Dallas-area hotel, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today.

Fielder was the only person to play in all 162 games last season and was considered to be a target for Texas once the Yu Darvish negotiations had concluded.

http://rangersblog.***BANNED-URL***/archives/2012/01/report-rangers-meeting-with-pr.html

 

[Muhast]

The Texas Rangers are meeting with former Brewers first baseman Prince Fielder in a Dallas-area hotel, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today.

Fielder was the only person to play in all 162 games last season and was considered to be a target for Texas once the Yu Darvish negotiations had concluded.

http://rangersblog.***BANNED-URL***/archives/2012/01/report-rangers-meeting-with-pr.html

I think he is doing this to jack up his price and land with the Nationals. They have been courting him heavily for the last month.

 

[DasTex]

This is likely two things:

1. Just in case Yu doesn't sign, Fielder will be a Ranger.

2. Hamilton is demanding too much money for his extension. Fielder will be the LH bat to replace his in 2013 or a trade this year of Josh.

Then the unlikely 3rd - Just matching the Angles with younger versions of their upgrades and arguably better versions in the future.

 

[TheCoolFan]

Yup if they get Prince then bye bye Hamilton

 

[JackWagon]

Heard a rumor they are really close to signing Darvish ... if so that means they probably pass on fielder and attempt to work a long term deal for Josh.

 

[TellerMorrow34]

Yup if they get Prince then bye bye Hamilton

Well that would not please me at all.

 

[Stautner]

Well that would not please me at all.

I know Hamilton is popular, and he is certainly a very good player, but he also is often hurt, missing 149 games in his 4 years as a Ranger. In the same time span Fielder has only missed 3 games. Fielder has better power numbers and even a better On Base % since he walks about 2.5 times more often than Hamilton. Of course there are things Hamilton does better too, but Fielder is younger and much more likely to be in the lineup every day.

Of course there ar other factors to consider - money is obviously a big one. Team chemistry is another. Need for improved starting pitching is another, although it remains to be seen how big that need is. Nevertheless, if a year from now starting pitching is an issue a Fielder sized contract could make the money scarce to sign someone.

 

[MC KAos]

i think id rather have one year of both and then fielder than just hamilton

 

[Stautner]

i think id rather have one year of both and then fielder than just hamilton

Good point. Get both this year and next year take chances on signing Hamilton to a reasonable deal and if that can't happen we still have the younger, healthier and scarier hitter in the middle of the lineup for years to come.

A good plan, but if Fielder insists on a Pujols type deal that will be very hard to pull the trigger on.

 

[TellerMorrow34]

I guess I'm just too much of a fan of Hamilton but I would not be pleased with this move at all.

I'm not in favor of anything that has Hamilton playing for someone else.

 

[YosemiteSam]

I guess I'm just too much of a fan of Hamilton but I would not be pleased with this move at all.

I'm not in favor of anything that has Hamilton playing for someone else.

You meaning being injured for someone else? :laugh2:

 

[JackWagon]

You meaning being injured for someone else? :laugh2:

rofl ... hamilton is an injury waiting to happen ... he is awesome when healthy tho :/

 

[TellerMorrow34]

You meaning being injured for someone else? :laugh2:

Whatever you like to pin point on I don't care. I happen to be a big fan of Hamilton and I happen to think he's a damn good player who I'd rather not lose.

 

[YosemiteSam]

Whatever you like to pin point on I don't care. I happen to be a big fan of Hamilton and I happen to think he's a damn good player who I'd rather not lose.

I like Hamilton too. Well, except for him incessantly pounding me over the head with his religious views.

What I'm weighting here is this. Money, years, health, productivity.

As a healthy player in the grand scheme of things: Hamilton > Fielder.

Josh Hamilton:

• Possitives: He is a defensive wizard and a better overall hitter. He is a fan favorite and seems like an all around good guy.
• Negatives: He has missed almost an entire season in the last three years. He hasn't played a full season in those three years. He doesn't hit as many HRs as Fielder. He is and forever will be an addict and forever at risk of falling off the wagon. (he has already slipped up at least once) While everyone deserves a chance, the chance he gets will be well over $100M contract. A contract you have to give and have options on who you give it too.

Prince Fielder:

• Positives: Fielders is a good hitter and a big HR hitter. The ball park has a short right field porch that benefits both players, but Fielder even more. Fielder has missed 1 game in the last three years. He has missed 13 in the last six years. When comparing Fielder to Hamilton money wise, you get full value for Fielder and only 3/4 value for Hamilton based on games played. Fielder isn't a drugs or alcohol risk as far as we know. Even with Fielder's enormous size, he is still a decent defensive first baseman.
• Negatives: He isn't as good a hitter as Hamilton. His defense isn't as good as Hamiltons.

Now. Do you pay Fielder 10 years $225M ($22.5M / year) or Hamilton 10 years $168M. (basicly 3/4 of what you offer Fielder) You can't offer him more because he doesn't play enough games. Hamilton currently makes $12M a year. Will he accept only a $4M raise? Probably not. He has already made it clear that he thinks he is worth top money like Fielder and said the Rangers should not make any offers that that he thinks are lowball offers.

There is no way I offer Hamilton $200M Far to much risk involved with him to offer that type of money. For that type of money, the player MUST be on the field 95% of the time. That is Fielder.

The only reason I would go with Hamilton over Fielder is if Hamilton takes a contract that helps me accept the risk. There is always a risk paying someone $225M. (Fielder) If I sign Hamilton, it won't be fore 10 years and it won't be for more than $100M. Five years $90M is more likely.

It's simple in my book. Fielder's Pros/Cons leans a whole lot more to the Pros, and Hamilton's leans heavily to the Cons. The only thing that will balance out the Fielder/Hamilton decision in my book is money and contract length.

 

[Mrdude108]

Great post, and very well thought out.

I love Hamilton and he has been my favorite player since he arrived but the injuries are very concerning. I'm not really even worried about the addiction as much because I think he has it under control. If Texas IS that worried, there should be a clause in his contract that would void the deal if he has another relapse or something to that effect.

If I am talking a long term deal to only one of these guys, I am giving it to Fielder because he is a few years younger and has a better health track record, a much better one and probably a better hitter. I think Hamilton is the better player over all, especially defensively because the guy can make amazing plays out thee and Prince is an average defensive first basemen.

I'm glad I don't have to make the decision but I would try like hell to find a way to land both of them, because with that lineup...I don't see a pitcher in the league who can handle that. With that said, we also have Napoli, Kinsler and Andrus to worry about so I don't see both, although Young is coming off the books soon.

I'm just glad that the Texas Rangers are this kind of organization to where we are in the discussion of every big name player and that we can afford to talk about letting a guy like Josh leave, or talk about bringing in Fielder. It's great.

 

[Stautner]

I like Hamilton too. Well, except for him incessantly pounding me over the head with his religious views.

What I'm weighting here is this. Money, years, health, productivity.

As a healthy player in the grand scheme of things: Hamilton > Fielder.

Josh Hamilton:

• Possitives: He is a defensive wizard and a better overall hitter. He is a fan favorite and seems like an all around good guy.
• Negatives: He has missed almost an entire season in the last three years. He hasn't played a full season in those three years. He doesn't hit as many HRs as Fielder. He is and forever will be an addict and forever at risk of falling off the wagon. (he has already slipped up at least once) While everyone deserves a chance, the chance he gets will be well over $100M contract. A contract you have to give and have options on who you give it too.

Prince Fielder:

• Positives: Fielders is a good hitter and a big HR hitter. The ball park has a short right field porch that benefits both players, but Fielder even more. Fielder has missed 1 game in the last three years. He has missed 13 in the last six years. When comparing Fielder to Hamilton money wise, you get full value for Fielder and only 3/4 value for Hamilton based on games played. Fielder isn't a drugs or alcohol risk as far as we know. Even with Fielder's enormous size, he is still a decent defensive first baseman.
• Negatives: He isn't as good a hitter as Hamilton. His defense isn't as good as Hamiltons.

Now. Do you pay Fielder 10 years $225M ($22.5M / year) or Hamilton 10 years $168M. (basicly 3/4 of what you offer Fielder) You can't offer him more because he doesn't play enough games. Hamilton currently makes $12M a year. Will he accept only a $4M raise? Probably not. He has already made it clear that he thinks he is worth top money like Fielder and said the Rangers should not make any offers that that he thinks are lowball offers.

There is no way I offer Hamilton $200M Far to much risk involved with him to offer that type of money. For that type of money, the player MUST be on the field 95% of the time. That is Fielder.

The only reason I would go with Hamilton over Fielder is if Hamilton takes a contract that helps me accept the risk. There is always a risk paying someone $225M. (Fielder) If I sign Hamilton, it won't be fore 10 years and it won't be for more than $100M. Five years $90M is more likely.

It's simple in my book. Fielder's Pros/Cons leans a whole lot more to the Pros, and Hamilton's leans heavily to the Cons. The only thing that will balance out the Fielder/Hamilton decision in my book is money and contract length.

Good analysis. One thing I would add is that while it's true Hamilton is a better overall hitter, Fielder actually has a better on base % than Hamilton. In short, Hamilton doesn't take walks and Fielder will, which means that while Hamilton generally has a better batting average, Fielder's plates appearances are more consistently productive.

Another thing to consider is that while it's true that Hamilton is a better defensive player than Fielder, that's really not a true point of comparison. The comparison would be Hamilton and Moreland/Young/Napoli vs. Hamilton's replacement and Fielder. In other words, it's Hamilton's replacement that would determine how much we lost or gained in the deal. Fielder would be at least as good and probably a little better than the trio we currently have manning 1B.

 

[TellerMorrow34]

I like Hamilton too. Well, except for him incessantly pounding me over the head with his religious views.

What I'm weighting here is this. Money, years, health, productivity.

As a healthy player in the grand scheme of things: Hamilton > Fielder.

Josh Hamilton:

• Possitives: He is a defensive wizard and a better overall hitter. He is a fan favorite and seems like an all around good guy.
• Negatives: He has missed almost an entire season in the last three years. He hasn't played a full season in those three years. He doesn't hit as many HRs as Fielder. He is and forever will be an addict and forever at risk of falling off the wagon. (he has already slipped up at least once) While everyone deserves a chance, the chance he gets will be well over $100M contract. A contract you have to give and have options on who you give it too.

Prince Fielder:

• Positives: Fielders is a good hitter and a big HR hitter. The ball park has a short right field porch that benefits both players, but Fielder even more. Fielder has missed 1 game in the last three years. He has missed 13 in the last six years. When comparing Fielder to Hamilton money wise, you get full value for Fielder and only 3/4 value for Hamilton based on games played. Fielder isn't a drugs or alcohol risk as far as we know. Even with Fielder's enormous size, he is still a decent defensive first baseman.
• Negatives: He isn't as good a hitter as Hamilton. His defense isn't as good as Hamiltons.

Now. Do you pay Fielder 10 years $225M ($22.5M / year) or Hamilton 10 years $168M. (basicly 3/4 of what you offer Fielder) You can't offer him more because he doesn't play enough games. Hamilton currently makes $12M a year. Will he accept only a $4M raise? Probably not. He has already made it clear that he thinks he is worth top money like Fielder and said the Rangers should not make any offers that that he thinks are lowball offers.

There is no way I offer Hamilton $200M Far to much risk involved with him to offer that type of money. For that type of money, the player MUST be on the field 95% of the time. That is Fielder.

The only reason I would go with Hamilton over Fielder is if Hamilton takes a contract that helps me accept the risk. There is always a risk paying someone $225M. (Fielder) If I sign Hamilton, it won't be fore 10 years and it won't be for more than $100M. Five years $90M is more likely.

It's simple in my book. Fielder's Pros/Cons leans a whole lot more to the Pros, and Hamilton's leans heavily to the Cons. The only thing that will balance out the Fielder/Hamilton decision in my book is money and contract length.

Fair enough. I have no problem with that out look or any of this.

 

[YosemiteSam]

One thing I would add is that while it's true Hamilton is a better overall hitter, Fielder actually has a better on base % than Hamilton. In short, Hamilton doesn't take walks and Fielder will, which means that while Hamilton generally has a better batting average, Fielder's plates appearances are more consistently productive.

Are you saying [strike]***** ******[/strike] Josh Hamilton can't hit a curve ball? :laugh2:

EDIT: lol, that didn't come out right with the striking of the filter! Anyhow, it was a quote from Major League.

 

[YosemiteSam]

btw, when I first saw this thread today, I was hoping it was a new thread and the Rangers were in fact meeting with Fielder and his agent today. :laugh2:

 

[Rackat]

Just heard on RAGE that the team is meeting with Fielder's people today at a hotel here in D/FW. They still have some room to work with and Yu's contract is club friendly. It may yet get done.