All eyes on the Marlins

Could the Mariners leave Dallas without having made a move be it a free agent signing or trade? Of course. The four days that all of baseball get together is just that. A four day get together with everyone in one place. It can better facilitate moves but does not ensure that deals will happen. Often they come in the weeks following the meetings and that is looking more and more like what we see this year.

All eyes remain on Albert Pujols with multiple national baseball writers reporting that the Marlins are out and that they will now turn their attention to Prince Fielder. The Marlins appear to have arrived at the meetings with the blank checkbook so this cannot be good news for fans who are hoping to see the Mariners sign Fielder.

While the Marlins may be in on Fielder I wouldn’t expect them to go to the lengths to obtain him as they tried to with Pujols. Pujols was the break the bank player for them, “the guy,” if you will. Not only could he help the team on the field but he would be a huge marketing chip and help establish credibility for the team. In going for the guy however it would appear that all the Marlins accomplished was driving his price up.

I don’t see them offering Fielder a ten year contract. I don’t see them being as aggressive. Scott Boras no doubt has them on speed dial and will most likely look to them to set the negotiating floor for his client but I don’t see them going as far for him. Different teams have different values for different players. After giving Mark Buehrle a four year 58 million dollar contract earlier today I have got to think that the checks are no longer blank.

One other Marlins note, there have been multiple reports that Hanley Ramirez is very unhappy with the prospect of moving to third base and could be available for trade. Ken Rosenthal tweets that this is not so saying,

“#Marlins prez Samson: Hanley did not ask for contract to be restructured. Hanley not getting traded. Hanley critical part of team.”

Ramirez himself chimed in via Twitter:

“OMGGGG Crazy stuff going around…Im just relaxing with my family and getting mentally and physically strong and ready for next season.”

So all warm and fuzzy for now but what if that changes? Would you be interested in 3 years of Hanley Ramirez for 46.5 million dollars and whatever it takes, most likely a pitcher not named Felix, to get him? Would this be a good and cheaper alternative to Prince Fielder? A different hitter and certainly not the defense of Brendan Ryan but for three years, would he be a difference maker? Something to think about.