Jonathan Warner, wtop.com
WASHINGTON – Rumors continue to swirl that the Nationals are still in the running for Prince Fielder.
I like the chutzpah by the team, feeling that they have a strong chance to compete this year. But, do they really need him?
No doubt he clubbed 38 homers with the Brewers last year, drove in 120 runs, while batting .299.
But Adam LaRoche can come close to those numbers, as well. Yes, he struggled through 43 games in his first Nationals season last year before undergoing shoulder surgery. In 2010, he hit 25 homers for the second straight year while driving in 100 runs.
Are those stats that much more different considering LaRoche would be paid at about one-third the price of Fielder?
Plus, LaRoche is a better fielder — no pun — therefore preventing fewer runs.
Nothing against the Big Fella. He’d certainly create a baseball buzz in the District, plus put fannies in the seats. But it creates a whole list of other problems for the Nats.
If Jayson Werth and Prince Fielder both had mega-contracts, what would it take to resign Ryan Zimmerman? The Nationals are reportedly already talking about an extension with the Z-Man. He has two more years left on his current deal.
Also, the Nats are already greatly improved without Fielder.
Consider that right now they would have LaRoche for a full season at full strength, the same for Zimmerman, who missed two months in 2011 following abdominal surgery.
Jayson Werth played better after he relaxed. No doubt he felt the weight his 126 million dollar contract.
Also, Davey Johnson will be managing from the start of spring training. Once he came aboard last season, the hitting improved for Danny Espinosa, Ian Desmond and Wilson Ramos.
Plus, the Nats have basically added three new starters. Stephen Strasburg, Chien-Ming Wang and Gio Gonzalez. Strasburg returned strong from Tommy John surgery, Wang showed what his sinkerball could add to the rotation, and the big off-season trade brought in all-star Gonzalez.
Then there’s Bryce Harper. We should see him in D.C. sometime this season, maybe from open day.
All those factors make the Nationals a contender in 2012, with or without Prince Fielder.
Follow WTOP on Twitter.
(.Copyright 2012 by WTOP. All Rights Reserved.)
