Milwaukee Brewer fans knew this day was coming but it hurts more when it becomes a reality.
All-Star first baseman Prince Fielder signed a nine-year, $214 million contract today with the Detroit Tigers and Brewer fans are mourning everywhere.
“It’s still somewhat of a sad day,” Brewers general manager Doug Melvin said. “Prince is one of the best young players in the game. You try to build teams around young, star players.”
Once Doug Melvin found out Fielder’s agent Scott Boras was looking in the $200 million range, the Brewers had to cut themselves off from negotiations.
In 2010, the Brewers offered Fielder $100 million over five years but Boras laughed it off and countered with an eight-year, $176 million deal. Owner Mark Attanasio knew financially there was no way the team could afford it and thus became a sad day for Brewer nation.
“The best chance we had to sign him was a couple of years ago,” said Melvin. “I don’t think it was that close.”
The Brewers and Fielder both knew he was going to leave via free agency at the end of the 2011 season which is no wonder why Melvin “went for it all” and traded for Zack Greinke and Shaun Marcum.
With Fielder and slugger Albert Pujols out of the division the NL Central is wide open for the taking. Milwaukee definitely did enough in free agency to remain in contention and the St. Louis Cardinals will get starter Adam Wainwright back to help defend their World Series title. Still, the division is up for grabs and it will be interesting to see who will step forward.
The Brewers will receive the 27th overall pick in the 2012 MLB Draft from the Tigers for compensation. This means Milwaukee will have back-to-back draft selections since they already own the 28th overall pick.
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