New York Yankees: Is Prince Fielder Headed to New York?
January 20, 2012 · John Nizinski · Jump to comments
Article Source: Bleacher Report - New York Yankees
The Yankees were uncharacteristically quiet this offseason. They were not involved with the top free agent, Albert Pujols and never showed serious interest in Yu Darvish or C.J Wilson. It appeared as if they were content on going into the season with who they had on their roster.
Their silence was broken when it was reported that they have reached an agreement with the Seattle Mariners to trade their phenom catching prospect Jesus Montero for Seattle’s Michael Pineda.
Although the Yankees were very high on Montero, their biggest concern was their starting rotation. Pineda gives the Yankees a front end starter to help bolster the rotation and make them a more complete team.
The Yankees offense is always a lock to be in the top of the league. Their bullpen was one of the best in the league last season and that shouldn’t change as long as Mariano Rivera is still closing games. With adding Pineda, the Yankees now have a surplus of starters which include C.C Sabathia and Ivan Nova.
Montero was projected to be the Yankees designated hitter this season. Now that he is gone, the DH spot is empty.
There have been reports that the Yankees were talking to Johnny Damon and Carlos Pena. They haven’t, however, reached an agreement with anyone.
Prince Fielder is still a free agent. He has not been able to find a home yet this offseason.
Could it be that the Yankees haven’t locked up these players and Fielder hasn’t signed anywhere because the Yanks are planning a surprise signing of Fielder, like they did with Mark Teixeira? Even the Pineda deal shows that the Yankees have a tendency to make deals out of nowhere.
While locking up Fielder for a long term contract will plug up the DH spot for aging player like Alex Rodriguez and Derek Jeter, it will also make the Yankees the favorite to win the World Series for the next few years.
The Yankees haven’t locked up a big free agent since their offseason splurge before the 2009 season.
Fielder is a player who is entering his prime. He is a 40 homer, 120 RBI caliber player. However, with Yankee Stadium as his home field, his home run and RBI numbers will most likely increase. Adding Fielder to the Yankees lineup that already has will probably give them the greatest lineup of all time.
Yankees projected lineup if they sign Prince Fielder:
Derek Jeter, Curtis Granderson, Robinson Cano, Alex Rodriguez, Prince Fielder, Mark Teixeira, Nick Swisher, Russell Martin, Brett Gardner.
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