Olde Man’s Tavern: Prince’s Place

What could you do with $15.5 million? I’m sure not many people really asked that after hearing the terms of Prince Fielder‘s latest one-year deal that will keep him in Milwaukee for the upcoming 2011 season. I’m also sure that Fielder wasn’t asking himself that question either. It is nice to think about having all that coin though, isn’t it.

The Tavern travels to the Miller Park (appropriately) to peek in on the Brewers first baseman.

So I ask again, what would you do with $15.5 million? Most of us would seriously consider retirement. Wait. Most of us would retire. Not when you’re a major league player. You consider other things…

But that $15.5 million was to “avoid” arbitration. We have heard the horror stories of how arbitration cases can go. The team tries to knock you down so you won’t receive the money you’re requesting. They could bring up anything to keep a player from getting his dough. I look at this deal of one year, $15.5 million another way. It’s “play nice” money. No arbitration and it could send a couple of messages to Fielder.

The Brewers want you, but they may not be able to afford you after 2011. Or so is the theory. The Brewers brass wanted to avoid arbitration more than you wanted to avoid it. That’s why you got that much loot. I’m no exec with the Brewers (nor will I most likely never be), but this is an assertion I can virtually guarantee. Why go in that room and “bad mouth” one of that faces of the franchise? Would you even dare?

And Fielder should actually appreciate that. From the moment Milwaukee selected Cecil Fielder’s son as 7th overall pick back in 2002, Prince has been receiving, well, a prince’s treatment. In the last three years, he’s been rewarded with $33.5 million bucks if you include this deal. Not a bad payday for anyone.

Fielder received another message prior to his deal. The Brewers are striving for a winner in 2011. The front office is attempting to make the Brewers visible in the MLB landscape, if for only one season. I know that goes without saying. Two separate deals saw the Brewers acquire Zack Greinke and Shaun Marcum to bolster a major weakness for Milwaukee, the starting pitching. A nice set of arms to add with Yovani Gallardo. A potent 1-2-3. They may have plugged a hole in the defense with getting shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt. The Brewers ranked 9th in the NL in fielding last season.

This has to weigh (no pun intended) on Fielder’s mind. And with any thoughts come the ever present “what if” game.

What if the Brewers make a deep run in the playoffs or even win the World Series? Greinke, Gallardo, Marcum, Corey Hart, Casey McGehee and Ryan Braun will still be there in 2012. Rickie Weeks could leave via free agency (like Fielder) after 2011. There’s will still be something to work with in Milwaukee, but Fielder represents an integral piece. Would Fielder consider returning in 2012 if the Brewers make a run or win it all? Or is that looking too far ahead? Is it something even worth asking? All good questions to which there are currently no real answers.

Another. What if all the moves made do not translate into a successful season? If a failure results early in 2011, could Milwaukee seriously contemplate trading Fielder during the season in an attempt to gain value? Even replace the prospects that were dealt in order to get Greinke and Marcum? Some feel the Brewers gave too much in both cases. Dealing Fielder would be a way to begin replenishing the farm system.

I know what thought might be crossing your mind. Isn’t this whole situation somewhat similar to the scenario in St. Louis involving Albert Pujols? It sure is with one exception. Fielder is about three and a half years younger than Pujols (Pujols is 31 while Fielder will turn 27 in May). Considering “baseball’s standards”, Fielder should just now be entering his prime years. I don’t know how he could improve on his current resume’, but signs point that way. And here’s where the dollar returns for yet another appearance.

Fielder could go to any team that chooses to pursue him and throw a few numbers out there. Philadelphia awarded Ryan Howard with that five-year, $125 million deal that kicks in next season. Howard will be 32 then. Pujols is reportedly wanted a deal similar to what Alex Rodriguez received from the Yankees (ten years, $275 million). We’ve already gone over Pujols and the age deal. Now, compare the production.

Obviously, Fielder won’t be judged as being on par with Pujols. I don’t think anyone would make that claim. Howard is a little different.

While Fielder has no MVPs in his trophy case, he does own an NL home run crown (50 in 2007) and an MLB RBI title (141 in 2009). Fielder also drew more walks (114) than any player in the majors in 2010. Yes, more than Pujols (103). Howard does own a Rookie of the Year (2005) and MVP (2006). He also possesses two MLB HR crowns (’06 and ’08) and three MLB RBI titles (’06, ’08, ’09). Both Howard and Fielder own a Silver Slugger. OK, the hardware isn’t as plentiful, but, I reiterate, Fielder should be entering his prime within the next season or two. More hardware is surely down the road.

It’s not beyond the realm of possibility that Fielder would receive an offer similar to that of Howard’s deal. You have to assume that he will get at least a deal along the lines of what Troy Tulowitzki received from Colorado (six years, $118 million). And we would all see those that can flow the money making a play for Fielder.

And maybe all this money talk is just that…talk. Maybe Fielder already has in his mind that he will test the market only to check his value and go the Brewers and tell them “I got this from them. What can you do?”. Look at it as a “hometown discount”, if you wish. I wouldn’t dismiss that idea. Then again, we know the likelihood of that actually happening. I’m not implying anything in regards to Fielder either. Nature of the biz.

So, revisiting. If the Brewers win, does he stay? If they struggle, does he go?

Milwaukee can only hope.