You can add Ricky Romero’s name to the list of people who think Prince Fielder would look good in a Toronto Blue Jays uniform next season.
The Blue Jays’ ace left-hander was a guest Friday on Sportsnet 590 The Fan in Toronto and was asked what the addition of a player such as the 27-year-old free agent slugger would mean to the development of the team’s current core.
"Oh my god (laughing), I mean you’re talking about one of the best hitters in the game and one of the most consistent players in the game," said Romero. "He’s a guy that any pitcher and anyone on the Blue Jays would love to have.
SPORTSNET 590 AUDIO: RICKY ROMERO WITH JOEY VENDETTA
"But you kind of keep your eyes off of that," he added. "Like I said, rumours are rumours and obviously (Blue Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos) knows what he’s doing and if it was to come to (that) he’d be doing it to help the team and other than that, (Fielder) would definitely mean a lot in that lineup with the guys that we already have.
"It’d definitely be something special. I’ll tell you what, it would definitely really, really help."
According to some reports, the Blue Jays are not out of the running for the services of the 2008 NL MVP despite the belief that Fielder and his agent Scott Boras are seeking a deal somewhere between seven and 10 years in length.
The Blue Jays under Anthopoulos and president and CEO Paul Beeston have yet to hand out a contract longer than five years and on Friday, ESPN.com’s Buster Olney reported the Jays are “more likely to hold or cut their payroll than to increase it.”
Still, the perception in the media is that the longer Fielder remains on the market the more flexible his demands may become. Other teams rumoured to be interested in him include the Washington Nationals, Chicago Cubs, Texas Rangers, Seattle Mariners and Baltimore Orioles.