Five reasons Nationals need Fielder 

With pitchers and catchers reporting to spring training in little more than a month, teams and free agents will start scrambling like a game of musical chairs in order to ensure they have a place to sit when the music stops. One free agent who should not have that problem is first baseman Prince Fielder. However, as the number of legitimate suitors dwindles for him and agent Scott Boras, it has become clear the Washington Nationals are the favorites to land Fielder. And they should be; he makes sense. Here are five of best reasons the Nationals should sign Prince Fielder:

Reason 1: The chance to win now

Signing Fielder gives the Nationals a legitimate chance to win the National League East or at least a wild-card berth in 2012. They have three starters at the top of their rotation who can conceivably win 15-20 games this year, as well as an impact closer in Drew Storen and strong setup arms such as Tyler Clippard. The have emerging young stars in Danny Espinosa and Wilson Ramos up the middle and one of the best third basemen in the game in Ryan Zimmerman. With uber-prospect Bryce Harper knocking on the big-league door, Fielder could be the final piece needed for a solid run at the postseason.

To continue reading this article you must be an Insider