The Milwaukee Brewers are close to giving up all hope on retaining Prince Fielder and have instead turned their focus to acquiring Jose Reyes, reports Jon Heyman via twitter.
The competition for the 27-year old Fielder is heating up and includes the Miami Marlins, who are also trying to make a splash (sorry) with Jose Reyes. The Cubs, previously (and still) linked with Albert Pujols, would be a good fit for Fielder and could certainly make a play for him, as Dale Sveum said about a potential job in Chicago:
"Wherever he signs, they’re getting one heck of a guy," Sveum said. "He’s one of my favorite people I’ve ever coached and the way he competes and plays the game as hard as he does every night, you wish you had 25 Prince Fielders playing as hard as he does every night." (Adam McCalvy)
Jose Reyes is clearly the top shortstop on the market, boasting one of the best middle-infield gloves in the majors as well as impact speed on the basepath. Jon Heyman is also reporting that the Marlins are "deadly serious" about acquiring Reyes as well and will be meeting with him tomorrow.
Additional links after the jump.
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Reaching out to Reyes - The Fish Pond
"In terms of being cost effective, the Marlins likely could sign Reyes and Cespedes at a much lower price than landing Pujols or Fielder. Both are believed to be seeking more than $200 million. So if the team goes with Reyes and Cespedes, they likely would have money to put towards adding more pitching, another priority." -
Former ‘teammates’ Sveum, Maddux make Cubs pitch - Brew Beat
"Dale Sveum and Mike Maddux, together for three seasons on the Brewers’ coaching staff, are each making a case this week to manage the Chicago Cubs. Sveum interviewed with the Cubs’ new president, Theo Epstein, and GM Jed Hoyer on Monday. Maddux will take his turn on Wednesday."