It’s the hottest state-wide sports debate since that one quarterback decided to come out of retirement. I’m speaking of the Milwaukee Brewers situation with first baseman Prince Fielder. Unlike his fellow teammate Ryan Braun, Fielder is making it clear that he will more than likely get out of Milwaukee once his salary arbitration days are over in three years.
It was last year during spring training when Fielder griped about his salary being just a bit over the half-million dollar mark, extremely underpaid for a player coming off a season in which he hit 50 home runs. But instead of accepting an extension that would of been in the five-year $60 million range, the Scott Boras client will collect his $10 million/year contract through arbitration to assure becoming a free agent in the fall of 2011 (I’ll bet you $10 that the New York Yankees will have him on speed dial by then).
So knowing that, some believe the Brewers should act now and trade Prince as his value will more than likely get no higher than it is right now. The closer he gets to that looming pay day in a few offseasons, the fewer teams will be willing to give up in exchange for the slugger. So what’s general manager Doug Melvin to do?
Unless he receives an offer that absolutly floors him (a top of the rotation pitcher along with a good bat) I think you have to ride Fielder out over these next three years and hope for another postseason trip or two. With Braun and Fielder batting 3-4 in your lineup, there’s always hope no matter which other 7 players surround them. Take away Fielder, and you take away the bat that has protected Braun in the lineup his entire Major League career. I would not want to make that sort of gamble.
Should the Brewers be out of playoff contention July of 2011, that would be the time to make a deal. Would Milwaukee get a Matt LaPorta type player that the team surrendered for CC Sabathia, I don’t know, but you’d have to think some team would give up a couple star prospects for Fielder’s services the remainder of that season. But trading Prince away any earlier is almost like waving a white flag for a team currently with playoff potential.
on Jan 20th, 2009 at 6:29 pm
I agree with you… ride him out as long as you can, unless something REALLY good deal comes along. I think he and Braun compliment each other quite a bit and with the big question mark on the mound, the best bet is to have as many big hitters as possible.