Prince Fielder is coming off a 38-HR, 120 RBI campaign in Milwaukee.
Both sluggers have spent their entire major league careers with one franchise, but only one would seem a decent bet to be back with his old club in 2012.
St. Louis' Albert Pujols and Milwaukee's Prince Fielder, the top names in this winter's free agent market, were among six Type A players offered salary arbitration just before the Thanksgiving holiday. They were joined by Texas starting pitcher CJ Wilson, Boston designated hitter David Ortiz and shortstops Jose Reyes and Jimmy Rollins of the Mets and Phillies respectively.
Several other players originally deemed to be Type A free agents were reclassified, including Padres closer Heath Bell, Twins OF-INF Michael Cuddyer and Brewers setup reliever Francisco Rodriguez. The reclassification of those players came as a result of the new collective bargaining agreement that went into place during the recent meetings in Milwaukee. While clubs will still receive two extra draft picks in June 2012 if they lose those players, the new teams signing them will not have to give up a high selection as is the case with the 'top 6' on this year's list.
There are conflicting reports how long all players tendered arbitration have to accept or reject the offers. Major League Baseball's website presently lists that deadline as midnight (ET) on Dec. 7 while the Associated Press is reporting the cutoff date is Nov. 30.
It's unlikely their either Pujols or Fielder will accept arbitration regardless of the deadline, and the fact both power hitters play first base makes this a very unique situation. Simple, real-world economics might suggest that both going on the market at the same time would drive down the costs for their eventual contracts. But then, this is baseball economics, not the real world.
Pujols and his agent, Dan Lozano, broke off negotiations with the Cardinals this past March after reportedly seeking a 10-year, $300 million extension before he entered the final year of his previous deal. St. Louis was rumored to have offered eight years for around $200 million.
The newly renamed Miami Marlins reportedly offered Pujols a contract recently, though specific terms were not mentioned.
The Cardinals are fresh off the 2011 World Series Championship, and it will be interesting to see just how they go about bringing their star back to the fold. St. Louis has already re-signed 1B-OF Lance Berkman, giving the team a Plan B if Phat Albert does leave.
Lozano also represents Rollins, and the latest scuttlebutt suggests the Phillies will be shopping for a new shortstop after negotiations to bring Rollins back stalled.
Fielder is represented by Scott Boras who has become known as something of an antichrist to front offices. There doesn't appear much hope that Fielder will return to Milwaukee after bad blood developed between the two sides this season when the Brew Crew gave Ryan Braun a 5-year extension worth $105 million. Braun rewarded the Brewers with an MVP season in 2011.
The only club said to be seriously pursuing Fielder right now is Seattle.
While the Phillies did offer arbitration to Rollins as well as outfielder Raul Ibañez, they declined to extend the same to pitchers Roy Oswalt and Brad Lidge. Oswalt was the only Type A free agent who failed to get the arbitration bid, and a return to the Lone Star State is a possibility. Just don't expect that destination to be Houston where Oswalt performed from 2001 until his trade to Philadelphia in July 2010.
The two-time defending AL champion Rangers have already begun to restructure their pitching staff in anticipation of losing southpaw starter Wilson. Texas inked former Twins closer Joe Nathan to a 2-year contract recently and is planning to shift Neftali Feliz from the closer's role to the starting rotation. Adding a veteran like Oswalt or possibly Mark Buehrle (who was offered arbitration by the White Sox) could be a good fit as well as providing insurance if the Feliz move doesn't work out.
Colorado also appears interested in Oswalt, and could be in the mix for Lidge who hails from the Denver suburbs.
Though Pujols and Fielder are the cream of this year's free agent class, the one player who could spark a bidding war and be in for a record payday for a reliever is Bell. The right-hander has notched 132 saves the last three seasons for San Diego, and sports a 3.06 ERA along with a 1.19 WHIP dating back to his tenure with the Mets.
Bell is even more attractive now that whoever signs him won't have to give up a draft pick next June.
Look for the dominoes to begin to fall before clubs gather in Dallas for the winter meetings (Dec. 5-8).