Fielder Signs $15.5 Million Contract
The Milwaukie Brewers made first baseman Prince Fielder the highest player in franchise history Tuesday when they agreed to a $15.5 million contract for the coming season.
The agreement avoided Fielder’s final year of salary arbitration, but stunned many fans as it is a single-season record for a arbitration-eligible players.
Many thought Fielder was on his way out of town because of his contract expectations. However, Fielder didn’t seem surprised by either development.
Fielder said, “Coming back with the Brewers was never going to be a surprise because I wasn’t a free agent.”
He seems to be ignoring that many expected a trade would be likely before he became a free agent.
Many will point out that Fielder’s numbers declined last season.
But General Manager Doug Melvin is defended the signing by saying, “It’s his career numbers as well as his ‘platform’ year,” Melvin explained. “Prince hit 50 home runs one season (2007) and 46 another (2009). He has a lot of RBI (536 in five-plus years). All of that comes into play. You can argue that he had declining performance last year but he’s also done some things that others haven’t.”
There is one thing that isn’t in doubt. When Fielder does become a free agent, he will be commanding a big contract from whatever team he decides to sign with.
