since fielders not crushing the ball this year, i’ll bet his arbitration contract will only be about 6-8MM.

that’s still very tolerable, and he’d still carry a ton of trade value in a year. it might be nice to have him around in 2009 even with a team that likely won’t be as strong as this year… perhaps to bridge the gap and help us realize exactly what our needs are

but we’re not going to trade a starting position player in the middle of a playoff hunt, even for Gamel.

I don’t think it’s likely that Fielder is traded this offseason; DM would have to be bowled over with an offer. There’s no real urgency to deal him already, with 3 years of club control still coming, and a bunch of salary coming off the books in a few months.

Still, I also agree with marty22: it is a useful diversion from recent on-field woes.

If the Halos don’t sign Tex at the end of the year, I think they’ll probably give the 1B job to Kendry Morales next year. I don’t think they want to give up any young pitchers, since they’ll probably let Jon Garland walk at the end of the season and their starting rotation, while very good, isn’t as deep as it used to be with Kelvim Escobar’s future questionable. If Morales can’t cut it in 2009, then they might be on the market for a slugging 1B, but I don’t think they’ll make a big move if Tex goes somewhere else. If they were willing to give up a starter this offseason, I think it’s more likely to be Jered Weaver than Santana/Saunders.

for just Prince, which I don’t think is a viable option, how about him going to Seattle for King Felix?

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