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Prince could wear an Indian loincloth for all I care. Might want to offer free shaded glasses to the kids as they come in, though.
But after the Pujols/Wilson signing by the Angels, I wouldn't want to be marketing season tickets for the Mariners if they whiff on Fielder and then are perceived to be doing what they always do, settle for second or third or fourth best. The Indians in Seattle might get a tad restless.
I just hope the M's don't get half pregnant, settling for half-measures that block significant PT for kids that are ready to show what they can do. Sign Fielder and Wright, you go in win now mode and if Carp or Liddie or Smoak are affected it's no big deal. Fail to sign Fielder, you're probably best going into spring training to see what you have with as many kids as possible. If you're not pleased with the kiddie corps before the season starts, you find a trading partner whose spring revealed a surplus.
If the rumor is true (and it may not be) that the M's have outlined an offer of 8 years $220 million including incentives with a full no-trade clause, with a club option on a 9th year, and backloading that would make Fielder higher paid than Pujols in the latter years of the contract, I think most people would agree that this time the Mariners really tried. If that offer won't get it done, you can go back to the fans with head held high and market Felix plus a dynamic set of young players that are ready to start building something special and hope they can win 80 games and flash the potential for more.
Also, you never know what trade opportunities might develop during or after spring training that you can jump on. Some other team might find itself willing to trade a vet with value because one of their kids made a giant leap forward.