Updated Dec 6, 2011 - 3:00 pm

How far will the Mariners go for Prince Fielder?

Day two at the Winter Meetings and we are finally hearing rumors that the Mariners are not only involved in talks with Prince Fielder, but, according to former general manager and current ESPN analyst Jim Bowden via Twitter, they are the current front-runners for his services.

"Mariners are now front= runners onFielder with Milw,Cubs & Tor all wanting shorter term deals....stay tuned," Bowden tweeted.

Prince Fielder

It is early in the process and no sources are cited. It is clear, however, the Mariners have interest and Jack Zduriencik told "Brock and Salk" today that "We have had our dialogue, with a lot of entities, and as we go through the week we will wait to see how it unfolds. Everyone is holding their cards fairly close to the vest. Dialogue is ongoing, that's all I can say."

Zduriencik has made it clear that a Fielder deal or deal with any premier free agent must make sense for the club both in dollars and years. A tricky balance no doubt establishing the value of the player versus what he brings to the club in terms of winning, and in the Mariners' case, winning soon. How far can Zduriencik go?

"It depends what the move turns out to be and it depends on a lot of factors," he said. "Where is the end game to this whole thing?

"There will be a point, there's no doubt in my mind," he continued, "if it gets to a certain point we are not going to be in it, that's just the way it is. Is there is a point where we are in? Is there a point where we say we are not going there with any of these players because of the risk involved, the length, the dollars, the commitment and all of those things? We will find out where we are at as the week unfolds."

There is a limit. The deal must make sense on many levels and it most likely is a deal that cannot be completed without approval from ownership. If the time is right and the deal is right, Zduriencik feels he will have that support.

"At the end of the day, whether it is a year from now, two years from now or three years from now, the ownership group here, the organization, whether it is this year, will step up and give us the resources that we absolutely need to get us over the top and I think we are all excited about that," he said.

As Jim Bowden said, stay tuned.

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Rayvensdad wrote...

If anytime...

December 6, 2011 12:28 pm

was the time for ownership to pony up dough for an impact player, now is it. If they are to go back to the 110 million dollar payroll, at least for one year, now would be the time. Only time will tell whether they do it, and if so/or not, whether it was the right move.

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chrisatuselessbay wrote...

hooray for FO and JACK Z

December 6, 2011 1:05 pm

I believe that Jack and FO were hoping this would happen- that suitors for Fielder would drop and not want to go the years or $'s required...and i am delighted that they are willing to put up the necessary money to make this happen. I think they always have but the right situation did not present itself. They did Sexton, Beltre Figgins, Ichiro. What a relief to have Jack Z at the helm. He knows what he is doing...brilliant. He knows how to treat people and how to negotiate and be diplomatic...no he's not my brother. I just appreciate what he has done for this franchise.Without him we would be much worse off.

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Chris from Bothell wrote...

I can't tell anymore

December 6, 2011 1:07 pm

This has been debated so thoroughly in the M's blogosphere by now, I don't know where I stand with it. There's decent arguments for and against. As long as this offseason isn't a flurry of John Jaso level moves, or getting Fielder isn't positioned by the M's as instant contention, I suppose I can be up for about anything.

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Lessmith50 wrote...

Wow

December 6, 2011 1:38 pm

I will believe it when I see it. This franchise has a well documented history for blowing smoke up ones kazoo. They will get some coolade drinking fans to believe their smoke screen maybe buy some team merchandise and a couple ticket packages then cry poor mouth. Seen this cartoonany times and already know how it ends. Don't hold your breath in less the person next to you knows how to perform CPR.

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Dan1 wrote...

Let it be said right now

December 6, 2011 8:26 pm

Fielder will NEVER NEVER agree to come to Seattle. The deal would not get approved by Ichiro and his Japanese cronnies. Until 51 leaves, the front office will always count on 51 as a last ditch effort to put fans in the seats. Bring in new meat and get rid of all the tired dead wood! In the meantime rehashing 1995, 116 wins will keep putting Dunski's in the seats.

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wcremedy24 wrote...

Do it

December 6, 2011 8:59 pm

It's not like our ownership doesn't have money to spend like top market teams. Plus Prince will put fans in the seat. MAKE IT HAPPEN!

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soo purletiv wrote...

Do it! Don't do it!...

December 7, 2011 12:29 am

LOL
What are the terms? What is the cost?
Too many, leaving opinions without the facts....
I have been pounding the drum for years that the Mariners need power to complement pitching.
However, one cannot sellout on one aspect to gain the other.
Scoring 8 runs a game, but losing, may be more exciting than scoring 3 runs a game and losing... but both scenarios still end in losing.
Balance is the key. Hard to accomplish, but still the key!
The Mariners seeeeeem to have the pitching for the near and extended future. But they are lacking in power. You can wish all you want, and look the lineup, up and down (including prospects and youth) but they don't have the power needed to compete in todays market.
I was admittedly excited earlier in the season when Fielder showed a bit of disdain about staying in Milwaukee. But when I read about what his agent thought he could attain in the free agent market, I took a few steps back.
Even with Cancer and the Silva extra, off the books, and a potential discount (potential, meaning for sure) for Ichiro after the 2012 season, Fielder still (according to recent reports) is asking for about 1/4th of the cheapo Nintendo Mariner budget (not that the budget guarantees wins, but...).
We aren't the Yankees people. We actually have a budget! And we don't have the money to pay for extending that budget, as the Yankees do. (well, we do, but that is up for debate for a later topic).
As such, if we don't live within our means, we could be set back for years.
And that would be un-trekked terrain for us Mariner fans, right? ;-) ........

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SalemDawg wrote...

Move the fences in

December 7, 2011 9:54 am

Don't sign him if you're going to leave the dimensions the same. If you are willing to bring the fences in to benefit a right-handed slugger you're going to pay $20 million, then make the signing. But why spend that kind of money on a hitter who will be somewhat limited in Safeco? Sure, he'll hit 40 HRs, but you want him to be deadly at home, where 81 games will be played. Move the fences in so he'll hit in the 50s. Otherwise, why sign him?

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wcremedy24 wrote...

SalemDawg

December 7, 2011 10:26 am

The right field fence is much easier to hit over than the left (was designed for Griffey) so he wouldn't be in horrible shape, even though it's still a pitcher's park. I'm all for moving the fences in, but but I wouldn't let the fences deter me from doing it, given that Fielder is left handed.

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Chris from Bothell wrote...

Did the latest CBA allow for remote-control movable fences or something?

December 7, 2011 12:27 pm

I will never understand the "move in the fences!" argument. The opposing team also benefits from fences that are moved in, y'know. And it takes away that pitcher's park thing that I think Felix, Pineda, Vargas, etc. have gotten a smidge used to.

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jluck217 wrote...

Make the offer already

December 7, 2011 11:13 am

Z has got to make this move happen! The M's will waste away the Felix-Pineda era otherwise. That is easy to see. Jack Z must know how badly they need a winner in Seattle to fill seats. Is Jack Z dreaming of a King+Prince night at Safeco yet? I think a lot of fans are going to be upset if they see the M's come out as losers on Prince in the offseason -- especially after articles about being the front runners. This is a very important move for the future 10 years. I'd lock him up for a decade if that's what it takes. Keep enough money to resign Felix though, please! Hey, I noticed a typo in the above story, which must be a misquote of Jack: "Is there is a point where we are in?" I doubt Jack Z would say that.

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soo purletiv wrote...

@ Chris from Bothell

December 7, 2011 7:45 pm

LOL!
I think you are on to something.
Remote fences would be awesome. They could move them in or out depending on the team, or maybe even the AB.........

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SalemDawg wrote...

What has a pitcher's park gotten the Mariners?

December 8, 2011 10:02 am

More and more losses, that's what. Yes, of course opposing players will benefit - but not for 81 games. The Rangers just went to back-to-back World Series' playing in a hitters ballpark ... and their pitchers did just fine. Moving the fences in benefits the Mariners. The stadium was built to take advantage of Griffey's left-handed power. He left in 1999 ... the park is death to right handed sluggers.

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Updated Dec 6, 2011 - 3:00 pm

How far will the Mariners go for Prince Fielder?

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