Brewers GM Doug Melvin isn't currently engaged in discussions with Scott Boras about a possible extension for Prince Fielder, according to Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Though Melvin didn't speculate about whether negotiations could re-open in the future, he confirmed that "there's nothing going on at this time."
Haudricourt suggests "word around Miller Park" is that Fielder and Boras shut down contract talks after declining the team's initial offer. For his part, Fielder seems unaware of any negotiations: "I haven't really heard anything about it. I'm not sure if it's a hiatus or not. I'm just focusing on playing baseball right now."
In one of our recent polls, many of you opined that the Brewers ought to trade both Fielder and Corey Hart, but Melvin might be more inclined to explore deals in the offseason rather than before July 31st.
"A position player has to be a perfect fit. There are only so many teams competing for the players [during the season]," Melvin explained. "A lot of them have certain positions filled. So, you're only talking about one or two teams [to trade with]. In the off-season, things change. Players go to other teams as free agents. Teams lose players. You can get more teams involved."
Fielder will earn $10.5MM this year and will be eligible for arbitration for the last time in 2011. Assuming he hits free agency following that season, the slugger figures to be looking for Mark Teixeira money.
This season notwithstanding, Teixera is a better all-around player.
If I were a GM, I wouldn’t want to negotiate with Boras at all.
Fielder is no way a Teixera type player, having a down season is going to hurt Scottie when he tries to negotiate a deal AFTER the season. Management must be hoping he brings his numbers up to make him more movable. He and Braun are just not having that 1-2 punch this season. As for Hart, he came out of nowhere to have a career season. You cant count on that next year, this could just be a fluke year..
The Brewers won’t say it, but they’re obviously extremely hesitant to extend Fielder at all and there’s no way they’ll do it for Teixeira money. Fielder is a huge question mark down the road so it’s no surprise people are hesitant to give him a long-term deal. He might be ‘doomed’ to accepting lucrative but short-term deals to insure against a complete breakdown midway through a massive contract. If the Brewers extended him I’d be shocked to see them go beyond a guaranteed 3 years/$45 million, if that. More likely would be 2 years/$36 million with a club option at the same price.
Fielder can hope for a Texeira deal all he wants, but it aint happening. He isnt anywhere near the fielder( no pun intended) that Texeira is and his offense this year ( .260 avg 15 Hrs .864 OPS) is below his career average.
I think you mean pun intended.. because you really did mean the he “isnt anywhere near the fielder texeira” which means the pun is intended
I think you mean pun intended.. because you really did mean the he “isnt anywhere near the fielder texeira” which means the pun is intended
Fielder and Boras can ask and want Tex money, but in the real world, where is he going to get it? There are VERY few teams that will pony up for him. IMO, A. Gonzalez is a much better player, and so is Pujols… they will get the big bucks from St. Louis, and either Boston or Chicago. The Yankees would NOT pay Tex money for a DH…. A Rod is closer to becoming a DH than Fielder. Bottom line, a glut of first basemen means no TEX money for Fielder. Maybe he can use some of the 11 mil he is getting from the Brewers for Nutrisystems…….
I think the Brewers and Fielder are better off staying together and finding a happy medium, plain and simple.
agreed
Baseball needs more hometown deals for mid-market teams ala Mauer and the Twins.
He will likely get GROSSLY over-paid by someone else other than the Brewers
Minaya will have Beltran off the books after the 2011 season and he has not made very many smart + large FA signings in recent memory. If Wilpon can find some cash, another expensive bust in Fielder is right up Minaya’s alley.
cause the mets need 2 first baseman? Ike Davis is the mets first baseman for the future…
nah Minaya won’t sign Fielder he isn’t latino, however if he’s still around(i hope he isn’t) Sabean will give him an insane contract although since he’s young that might be a turnoff for him. hopefully if he is on the trading block the Giants pick him up.
there is no way I would pay that fata$$ even $10 mil. a year. He is another albert bell; body breakdown in near future….
Fielder recently rejected $150 mil. contract from the brewers. Number of years was unknown, but still with that he is as good as gone