Nationals and Prince Fielder continue to be linked

It remains unclear just where free-agent first baseman Prince Fielder will end up, but MLB.com points out that his name continues to be linked to the Washington Nationals.

If he joins the Nats, it'll make the National League East a power-packed division with the vaunted pitching rotation of the Philadelphia Phillies, the revamping of the Miami Marlins, and the new offensive force of the Nats.

However, one source tells MLB.com that Fielder's agent, Scott Boras, is "using [the Nationals] to drive up the price with interested teams." The site notes that Boras has a good relationship with the Nationals since the team employs a few of his clients, including Stephen Strasburg, Jayson Werth and Bryce Harper.

Nationals GM Mike Rizzo has indicated that the plan is to have Adam LaRoche at first in 2012. LaRoche, who will make $8 million next season, only played 43 games for the team last year after tearing a labrum and rotator cuff in spring training.

"Obviously, anything can happen. That's their decision," LaRoche said in October, according to the site. "That's a pretty big investment for someone who is not playing. I don't know what direction they would go. Obviously, anything is possible."

The 27-year-old Fielder hit .299 with 38 home runs and 120 RBIs for the Milwaukee Brewers last season.

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