January 2nd, 2012

MLB Free Agency 2012: Washington Nationals Emerge as Favorites for Prince Fielder

For the first time since Major League Baseball’s 2011 season ended last October, the free-agent market for former Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Prince Fielder finally seems to be intensifying.

Based on what an MLB official told Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel over the weekend, the Washington Nationals appear to be emerging as the favorite to land Fielder this winter.

Haudricourt had this to say on Monday:

An MLB official told me over the weekend that word is spreading in the industry that the Washington Nationals have emerged as a favorite to sign free-agent first baseman Prince Fielder.

As with many other teams who have been reported to be in the market for Fielder, the Nationals have downplayed their potential interest in the veggie-eating first baseman. GM Mike Rizzo affirmed recently last month that “unless something extraordinary and out of the ordinary” were to take place, 32-year-old Adam LaRoche was to start at first-base for the Nationals on opening day.

The market for Fielder’s services has been surprisingly slow thus far. Most thought that when Albert Pujols inked his record 10-year, $254 Million contract with the Angels earlier this month that that would be a potential springboard to many teams interested in making a contract offer to Fielder this winter.

Clearly, that hasn’t been the case and if this report proves true, the Nationals may be on the verge of bringing the top free agent available to help bolster their chances in a severely improved NL East division next season and beyond.

Haudricourt would also go on to say that the Nationals may or may not go to Fielder’s desired eight to 10-year deal but that as long as Washington can match Pujols’ $25.4 Million annual salary, the length of the deal may not matter entirely.

Alec Dopp covers the Milwaukee Brewers as a featured columnist on Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter and read his blog.

Posted on January 2, 2012 at 6:33 pm
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Milwaukee Brewers: Predicting Their Top 10 Performers for 2012

Every player on the Milwaukee Brewers’ 2011 roster contributed in some fashion or another to the club’s most thrilling campaign in nearly30years, resulting in an NL Central crown as well as the opportunity to host the National League Championship Series.

However, ample changes to their roster from a season ago will largely reshape what Milwaukee’s lineup might look like in 2012. The addition of third baseman Aramis Ramirez and shortstop Alex Gonzalez — as well as the likely subtraction of first baseman Prince Fielder — will bring about a number of new play-makers and top performers next season.

Let’s try our hand at predicting Milwaukee’s top 10 performers in 2012.

10. Alex Gonzalez

The Brewers were one of the worst defensive teams in baseball last season (they finished with MLB‘s seventh-worst fielding percentage collectively), and GM Doug Melvin made it a point to upgrade defensively this offseason.

After declining Yuniesky Betancourt’s 2012 option, the Brewers found their new shortstop in veteran Alex Gonzalez. Needless to say, the move firmly improved Milwaukee’s infield. The 34-year-old boasts a career .972 fielding percentage and 6.3 UZR.

Gonzalez will be expected to hold down the unstable fort that is the left side of Ron Roenicke’s infield with above-average efficiency, and fans should expect him to do just that. They should also expect something close to a .250/.290/.400 line offensively — nothing too overwhelming.

2012 Statistical Projection: .265 BA, 15 HR, 65 RBI, .310 OBP

9. Shaun Marcum

Shaun Marcum was absolutely sensational in his first season with the Brewers, however, his best work came away from Miller Park.

Last season, the 30-year-old right-hander went 8-3 with league-leading 2.21 ERA on the road proving essential in Milwaukee’s regular season successes. Without Marcum, it’s arguable the Brewers don’t even challenge for the division in 2011. Next season, much will stay the same in that Marcum will be largely responsible for providing stability and dependability to the rotation. Expect his stat line to comparable to last season, as well.

2012 Statistical Projection: 15-8, 3.60 ERA, 150 SO, 210 IP

8. Francisco Rodriguez

When Milwaukee offered arbitration to setup man Francisco Rodriguez after the season, they probably had no intention of actually bringing him back at or near his $13.5 Million salary from last season. Nevertheless, he accepted, and will assume his role as the Brewers’ eighth-inning man in 2012.

Last season, the seasoned vet posted a 1.86 ERA, punched out 33 and amassed 17 HLD in 29.0 innings of work with the Brewers, and will be held to a high standard next season as he is begin paid much more than he is actually worth.

2012 Statistical Projection: 2.60 ERA, 40 HLD, 75 SO, 70 IP

7. Aramis Ramirez

With Prince Fielder gone and Ryan Braun potentially missing the first third of next season, Aramis Ramirez could be responsible for shouldering a good portion of the offensive load for the Brewers to start next season. While he likely won’t put up the gaudy numbers he did in Chicago over the past eight seasons, he will be expected to perform at a high level nonetheless. Even at 33 years old, he has a power bat at the plate and could outperform expectations in a still very lethal Milwaukee lineup.

We would’ve ranked him higher than seventh, but since he is getting up there in age and his bat is a bit in question, this seems like the appropriate spot.

2012 Statistical Projection: .295 BA, 30 HR, 105 RBI, .530 SLG

6. Rickie Weeks

From the beginning of the 2011 season until an untimely ankle injury in late July that led to him missing a month’s worth of time, Rickie Weeks may have been the best offensive second baseman in all of baseball.

Prior to the All Star break, Milwaukee’s 29-year-old second baseman posted a .278 BA with a league-high 17 home runs and 67 runs scored, 39 RBI and a .486 slugging percentage, subsequently earning a trip to the MLB All Star game for the first time in his once promising career.

Of course, he wouldn’t return to his previous form after the injury, but he nonetheless maintains a considerable amount of success and momentum at the plate that can carry over to 2012. With Prince Fielder now gone, Weeks will take on a whole new role in Ron Roenicke’s lineup. Will that result in an increase in production at the plate? I think so.

2012 Statistical Projection: .280 BA, 31 HR, 95 RBI, .370 OBP

5. Corey Hart

Corey Hart has become an essential piece to Milwaukee’s lineup over the past five seasons, but has yet to even come close to reaching his potential. Next season will be his official coming-out party.

An abdominal strain halted the beginning of his 2011 campaign, yet Hart still managed to hit 26 home runs with a solid .822 OPS. The season prior, he batted .283 with 31 home runs and broke the 100 RBI barrier for the first time in his career. The guy knows how to hit the ball.

If he can stay healthy throughout next season, there’s absolutely no doubt he can reach the 40 home run plateau and may find his slugging percentage at a healthy .525 to top it off. His RBI count will hinge on where he is placed in the lineup, but you can expect him to get his fair share.

2012 Statistical Projection: .280 BA, 35 HR, 83 RBI, .510 SLG

4. John Axford

Outside of Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder, John Axford was clearly Milwaukee’s MVP last season.

In his first full season as the Brewers’ ninth-inning man, the 28-year-old was nothing short of sensational. He posted a league-best 1.95 ERA with 86 strikeouts in 73.1 IP while tying for the league-lead for saves (46), setting the franchise’s single-season mark for saves in a regular season.

With a full season’s worth of production and experience under his belt, Axford looks poised for another impressive season — potentially surpassing his numbers from a season ago. If he can do that, who’s to say he won’t challenge to be the NL Cy Young?

2012 Statistical Projection: 2.10 ERA, 48 SV, 95 SO, 85.0 IP

3. Yovani Gallardo

Now looking toward his third straight season as Milwaukee’s undisputed ace, Yovani Gallardo has a lot to build off of for 2012 after a staggeringly successful 2011 campaign.

Last season, Gallardo went 17-10 with a 3.52 ERA, 207 strikeouts and 8.99 K/9 IP, setting career-highs in wins, ERA and strikeouts. He also led all Brewers starters in just about every meaningful category to boot.

If last season was any indication of what this season holds in store, Gallardo will not only have a spot on the All Star roster, but he should vie for a considerable amount of Cy Young votes. Look for Milwaukee’s 26-year-old ace to take his game to the next level in 2012.

2012 Statistical Projection: 18-10, 3.15 ERA, 215 SO, 200 IP

2. Ryan Braun

Obviously, Ryan Braun’s production next season will ride largely on whether or not his 50-game suspension holds up, but since there hasn’t been any official word as to what’s to come, we’ll just assume he’ll be in the starting lineup on opening day.

Last season, Milwaukee’s beloved left fielder batted .332 wtih 33 home runs, 111 RBI and a league-leading .597 slugging percentage. Without the protection of Prince Fielder, Braun’s numbers are bound to slip ever so slightly. Nevertheless, Braun will surely be vying for consecutive NL MVPs next season.

2012 Statistical Projection: .320 BA, 35 HR, 105 RBI, .580 SLG

1. Zack Greinke

Zack Greinke knows as well as you and I know that he simply underperformed last season and wasn’t worth anything near the four top prospects Milwaukee gave up in return for his services.

That being said, one could argue there wasn’t a better pitcher in the second-half of 2011 than Greinke. In 15 starts, he went 9-3 and posted a 2.59 ERA with 202 strikeouts in 97.1 innings. If Greinke can extend the startling success that ended his 2011 campaign, there’s no doubt he’ll be Milwaukee’s top performer in 2012. Look for Milwaukee’s preeminent addition from a year ago to return to Cy Young form next season and for Melvin to re-sign him at season’s end.