Prince Fielder and Scott Boras May Have Overplayed their Hands

Milwaukee Brewers All-Star first baseman Prince Fielder remains unsigned with spring training set to start in less than 2 months and it appears as if he may be forced to return to the Milwaukee Brewers for the 2012 season. While Fielder’s return would make the Brewers one of the favorites in MLB betting lines to win the National League pennant in 2012, the question does remain open as to whether or not he would have sufficient motivation after expecting the Brinks truck to arrive after his best season ever in 2011 in which the Brewers won their first division title since 1982.

Fielder’s agent is known stick up man Scott Boras, who is hated by MLB owners and loved by players for his ability to command top dollar for his clients, even if it is not always accomplished with polish and good manners.

Fielder’s predicament is also part of the worst possible timing. American League teams such as the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox, who would figure to love having the poor fielding Prince as their designated hitter, do not have any need or room on their already power packed rosters for yet another high priced slugger. The one team that did have such a need, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, signed Fielder’s main competitor for superstar first baseman status in Albert Pujols, who led the St. Louis Cardinals to a National League Championship Series win over Fielder’s Brewers and on to a World Series championship against the Texas Rangers. Despite Pujols having a slight drop in overall production compared to his past years with the Cardinals, and despite his being 4 years older than Fielder, he was able to command the riches that Fielder had expected for himself.

Is this Prince Fielder's Last Season with the Brewers?

Prince Fielder has had a hell of a season. Heading into his Milwaukee Brewers' road trip Friday night, which begins with the Cincinnati Reds and ends with the Chicago Cubs, he is batting .294 with 32 home runs and 109 RBI.

The husky first baseman, who is facing free agency at the end of the 2011 season, has the devil of Scott Boras on his shoulder. In fact, Boras said in an interview with TBS this week that this is "probably [Fielder's] last season with Milwaukee."

It's Bryce Harper Hype Time!

Scott Boras has a flair for the dramatic. Like last year's no. 1 draft choice Stephen Strasburg, Bryce Harper and his agent waited until the final seconds of the day until he and his client inked a deal.

The catching phenom, who became the first JUCO player to be taken with the first pick, settled on a $9.9 million, five-year contract with the Washington Nationals just before Monday’s midnight deadline. That would be a record for a kid fresh out of the draft who isn't a pitcher or a free agent. Now he'll be able to buy an endless supply of eye black to smear all over most of his face!

The 17-year-old baseball-crushing backstop from the College of Southern Nevada will receive a $6.25 million signing bonus in five installments of $1.25 million through 2014.

Good Luck With That, Mike Rizzo

I did not watch the 2009 MLB Amateur Draft today, mainly because I just can't handle seeing Bob Selig's dumb face (ed. note: I'm calling him Bob today cause he looks like a Bob, and he's not my bud) every couple of minutes. So, I read about it instead.

The Washington Nationals (man, they're awful) went ahead and selected Stephen Strasburg, just like everyone and their brother predicted. Believed to be one of the most talented prospects up for grabs, the 19-year-old right-hander from San Diego State deals a blazing fastball that’s been clocked at 102 mph. He also has some filthy breaking balls, which are always a nice part of the package.

Strasburg went 13-1 with a 1.32 ERA this season for the Aztecs, leading San Diego to their first playoff berth since 1991. Drafting him was the easy part for the Nats, while signing him will be another challenge altogether. With an agent like Scott Boras, no deal is simple.

In fact, the superagent is rumored to be seeking a record contract, possibly in the neighborhood of $50 million. Yikes! Good luck with that, Mike Rizzo.

And congratulations, Stephen Strasburg.

[MLB.com] | [Federal Baseball] | [MLB Wire]

Drunken Cards Front Office Inks Kyle Lohse for 4 Years

Kyle Lohse and the St. Louis Cardinals announced today that they have come to terms on a 4 year, $41 million contract.

Lohse, represented by super-agent Scott Boras, was traded from the Twins in 2006 after problems with Minnesota teammates and coaches. He played for Cincinnati and Philadelphia in 2007, and embarrassed himself rather thoroughly by turning down $21 million and 3 years from the Phils at the beginning of the 2008 season.

Lohse elected to instead sit at home during spring training and eventually was signed to a 1 year, $4.25 million deal with the Cards. He was stated to have been seeking 4 years and $40 million-plus.

To be fair, in 2008 Lohse did go 15-6 with a 3.78 ERA, walking 49 and striking out 119 in 200 innings. Good stuff, but there's nothing in his history that would suggest that he'll repeat those kind of stats. It's highly likely that this will turn into a crap contract for the Birds.

Scott Boras Claims Another Soul

Scott Boras has struck again, this time in the form of an unknowing 21-year-old, power-hitting third baseman. Too bad instant replay wasn't established before the August 15th draft deadline.

No. 2 pick Pedro Alvarez, currently on baseball's restricted list, has refused to sign his contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates, leading the players’ association to file a grievance Wednesday, claiming the deadline was extended by MLB without their permission.

The Bucs agreed to a minor league contract with Alvarez, including a $6 million signing bonus on the morning of August 16th. However, his agent, Scott Boras recommended his client not report until the agreement was renegotiated. Apparently, the deal was inked after the midnight deadline for draft picks.

Reunited and it Feels So Good?

Warren Buffett, a billionaire investor and philanthropist, reportedly advised Alex Rodriguez to accept a contract from the New York Yankees behind his agent, Scott Boras' back.

Buffett and Rodriguez have been buddies for a few years now, and A-Rod contacted him after he began to feel frustration with the aftermath of his opting out fiasco. The sides have apparently reached a 10-year deal worth a ridiculous $275 million that should be finalized early this week.

After batting .314 with 54 homers and 156 RBI, A-Rod is all but certain to win his third MVP award and second with the Yankees when the honor is announced on Monday.

Gambler Takes Shot at Self-Representation

After all of the nonsense surrounding Scott Boras, veteran free agent Kenny Rogers has had enough. Saturday, he decided it was time to represent himself and fired his money-hungry agent.

Since Rogers' career speaks for itself, an agent isn't really a necessity. He's more than likely going to stick around Detroit rather than be shopped around to the highest bidder by Boras, who was snubbed earlier in the week by New York Yankees superstar Alex Rodriguez.

After helping his club reach the 2006 World Series, the 43-year-old lefty was 3-4 with a 4.43 ERA during an injury-shortened season in which he had arteries repaired and a blood clot removed from his pitching shoulder.

Over 19 seasons in the big leagues, Rogers -- a four-time All-Star and five-time Gold Glover -- is 210-143 with a 4.43 ERA.

[Detroit Free Press]

The A-Rod Chronicles

Will Alex Rodriguez be a Yankee after all? If it means he does it on the Yankees terms and without Scott Boras, then I'm all for it. And according to the New York Daily News, it might be an option.

Arod's image has taken a hit recently due to his unreasonable contract demands, namely the price tag of $350 million. If Arod is willing to talk to the Yankees while keeping Boras out of the process, it's a step in the right direction.

Scott Boras is a Maniac

Along the same ridiculous lines as the one-year "insult" offered to former New York Yankees manager Joe Torre -- only the complete opposite -- superagent Scott Boras reportedly informed GM Brian Cashman last week that the Yanks would not be meeting with Alex Rodriguez unless they presented an extension worth at least $350 million.

That's roughly three times the amount he will ever be paid for a four-year contract. Fricking ridiculous.

Carry on.

[NY Daily News]

Welcome to the Girardi Era

[Note: this post is on loan from my home blog Strike Zones and End Zones and made possible by a generous donation by me.]

Welcome to the Girardi Era. For those of you with limited time, feel free to skip to the bottom for the one sentence summary.

I'm hardly the first to say it, but while the Alex Rodriguez announcement by Scott Boras during the final World Series game was easily the most newsworthy part of the entire series (seriously, for non-Boston fans, this series was about as exciting as watching my dog lick his balls), it was a very low class thing to do. Definitely about as low class as you'd expect from Boras, but it was in poor taste nonetheless.

The rule that prevents teams from making major announcements during the World Series should extend to the players and agents as well. As much as I hated watching the Red Sox win the Series, it was their moment and the attempted highjacking was unnecessary.

The Yankees spent the season stating that if Arod opted out of his contract, they wouldn't make him an offer. They should stand by this statement for two reasons. First, if this is an attempt by Boras to call the Yankees bluff, then let him do it. The desperation of major league teams for talent has created a monster in agents like him and it needs to stop. If a player feels the need to opt out of a $252 million contract because he doesn't like the coach, players, team colors, whatever, then I have no sympathy – MVP or not. Which brings me to reason two. No player is worth the money and drama that this situation involves.

If the Yankees are prepared to enter into a “re-building” era, bringing in a new coach and young talent, then they should do it. Make an effort to keep the anchor players like Derek Jeter and Jorge Posada and the rising starter Melky Cabrera and use the money they would offer to Arod to build around the core. Let Arod go find a team willing to pay $30 million a year. Yes, even if it turns out to be the Boston Red Sox.

The second big Yankees announcement in as many days involves the next manager of the team. As I predicted a year ago after he left the Marlins, Joe Girardi has been offered the job and he is expected to take it, ending months of speculation. Girardi will be a great fit for the players and is a smart choice for the job.

So basically fuck Arod, welcome Girardi, and go Yanks.

[Scott Proctor's Arm] | [Pinstripe Alley] | [The Futility Infielder]

Dodgers Have Their Panties in a Twist

Just wanted to say sorry for my extended absence. Lots of work, not enough sleep, and some kind of nasty cold equals Lizzy sleeping when she's not at the office. My next day off is March 15th. Anyway.

J.D. Drew left the Dodgers brokenhearted, according to the LA Times. Drew said that the reason that the often-injured outfielder left was because he wanted job security, and didn't want to be used as trade bait somewhere down the road.

Dodger GM Ned Coletti said that wasn't the case, as adding a no-trade clause into Drew's contract in LA was never even discussed. Interestingly enough, Drew's contract with the Red Sox only allows Drew to veto trades to two teams, when his contract with the Dodgers allowed five.

"Although Drew, 31, said he was aware he had an option in his contract, it wasn't until he was approached by agent Scott Boras after the season that he considered invoking it."

Scott Boras (Satan) is the worst man on earth.

[LA Times]