A Princely Sum

Last year I previewed what I expected to be Prince Fielder's final season in Milwaukee. In that post I said most of what I could possibly say about his career with the Brewers. Basically, he's a very good player, and we've been privileged to have him on our team for as long as he has.

Despite the fact that we knew it would never, could never happen, many Brewers fans held out hope that he might somehow end up back with the Crew this season. A slow-to-develop market for the slugger this offseason didn't help, but any such hopes were finally dashed Tuesday when he signed a $214 million nine-year deal with the Detroit Tigers -- a Princely sum, to say the least. We now must come to terms with the fact that Prince Fielder, a pillar of the Brewers' resurgence over the last five years, will never again wear a Milwaukee uniform.

I want this much money

Let me first say -- it could be worse. A lot worse. He could have signed with the Yankees, Red Sox, or any other large market, big spending team. He could have signed with the Cubs or even the Cardinals after Albert Pujols landed with the Angels. Let me also say -- good for him! Our very own Prince Fielder went and signed the fourth largest contract in MLB history, behind only A-Rod (twice) and Pujols. I somehow knew he would get the deal he was looking for, and just yesterday morning said to a colleague that we shouldn't rule out a mystery team jumping in on him.

Yes, I'm sad to see him go. We knew this day was coming but it's still sad that it's finally here. But we've been spoiled as Brewer fans. We've enjoyed watching MLB's most dynamic and productive hitting duo for the last several years. Prince will probably retain that title now that he's joining Miguel Cabrera in Detroit.

I'll always enjoy watching Prince Fielder and I'll probably keep cheering for him now that he's a Tiger. He's the type of hitter that you think just might hit a home run every time he comes to the plate. His plate discipline has improved steadily over the past few years and he should now be considered one of the best sluggers of his time. Plus, the dude missed one game over the past three seasons and only thirteen in six years! What's not to love about that?

Fare thee well, Prince Fielder. May you continue perform the way we've come to expect and may you end up more worthy of that ridiculous contract than A-Rod and Pujols by the end of theirs!

I will miss that smile

Prince Fielder is in Beast Mode

The Brewers won what may be their most impressive game of the year last night against the Mets. A rough inning by Kameron Loe saw the Crew fall behind 2-6 after a five run eighth inning, but the Brewers wouldn't stay down for long. Ryan Braun plated Rickie Weeks and Nyjer Morgan with a one out double in the bottom of the eighth, followed by Prince Fielder's second two-run home run of the night. After a clean top of the ninth by new father John Axford, Nyjer Morgan unknowingly won the game by plating Craig Counsell on a walk-off double.

Brewers Host Reds After Taking Two of Three From Astros

The Brewers won their series against the Astros yesterday led by another strong start by Randy Wolf (8 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 4 K, 1 HR). It's a good thing they won, because many of us would have been pretty mad if they lost the series after bungling Saturday's game. I was at Saturday's game with a group of friends and family. It was actually a pretty exciting game, and we had a great time. Yes, the 8th inning was a circus act (much thanks to Jaymes Langrehr at the Brewers Bar for this awesome version of it). It was definitely a game of wasted opportunities, but I was sure excited when Braun scored off of Prince's double in the bottom of the ninth, and it was great to see Axford pitch a clean inning for the first time this year. (I snagged a picture of Prince swinging for that hit, included in this post. The ball hasn't reached him yet and can be seen just above the third base line.)

Marcum's Command Returns, Brewers Become First Team in Majors to Throw Three Shutouts

The Brewers beat the Pirates 6-0 yesterday at a nearly empty PNC Park. The Pirates announced the official tally at 8,755, but spectators insisted that much less actually attended. It's too bad, since Shaun Marcum and Pirates starter Kevin Correia matched no-hitters for the first half of the game. The Pirates broke Marcum's up in the fifth, while the Brewers ended Correia's bid in the sixth. Jonathan Lucroy, in his first Brewers start of 2011, led off the inning with a double. Marcum managed a bunt single, pushing Lucroy to third, and the Brewers scored on a Carlos Gomez sac fly. After a single by Ryan Braun, Prince Fielder continued his April domination with an opposite field, three-run home run.

What a Difference a Week Can Make

I've been busy the last few days and haven't had time to post. I'm glad to be back at it today, but with everything that's gone on over the past week that also means that this will be a long one. Bear with me, though; there's a lot of good stuff in here that will make you feel great about the Brewers.

Last Tuesday Brewer fans found themselves lamenting an 0-4 start with their team facing the tough Atlanta Braves for three more games. Yovani Gallardo took the ball that day, put the team on his shoulders, and delivered a two-hit complete game shutout in which he also scored the Brewers' only run. That game started a stretch by the Brewers that left them 5-2 on the home stand and 5-5 overall, moving them back to .500 quicker than even the most optimistic Brewer fans likely hoped.

Prince Fielder Becomes First Player to Hit 100 Home Runs at Miller Park

Prince Fielder homered in his first at bat against Carlos Zambrano yesterday, making him the first player to hit 100 home runs at Miller Park. It's the 192nd of his young career and for the usually slow-starting Fielder, it hopefully means he's found his power stroke early this year. Kyle Lobner at Brew Crew Ball looked at Prince's home run numbers in his career thus far and concluded that he'll likely hit around 40 this year, having homered before playing his tenth game of the season.

Previewing the 2011 Season: Prince Fielder's Final Season With the Brewers

Prince made history this year by pulling in the highest single-season salary ever paid by the Brewers ($15.5 million). At the same time he became the highest paid, arbitration eligible position player, beating Mark Texeira's $12.5 million paid in 2008 by the Braves. At age 26, Prince has put up some historic numbers in his first five Major League seasons. Prince is a special player, and will be paid as such come next winter. As Brewers fans we have enjoyed the privilege of watching Prince come of age these past five seasons. Unfortunately, the Brewers would cripple their ability to field a competitive team if they gave him the years and dollars he will demand once he reaches free agency after 2011. So, here is a look back on what Prince has accomplished thus far, and a look ahead to what will undoubtedly be his final season in Milwaukee.

Marcum Blanks Angels, Fielder Homers in 2-1 Win

Brewers fans got a glimpse of what the club traded Brett Lawrie for yesterday when Shaun Marcum threw three scoreless innings against the Angels. The changeup specialist threw his number one pitch especially well as he struck out three while giving up two hits and no walks. Said Craig Counsell of Marcum's outing: "That was impressive."

Meanwhile Prince Fielder, originally slated for a day off, batted fourth as designated hitter and provided the Brewers' sole runs with his first homer of the year, a two-run shot. Fielder asked manager Ron Roenicke if he could DH in order to get in a couple more at-bats. Roenicke was pleased with Prince's initiative and was happy to oblige the slugger.

Takashi Saito relieved Marcum, walked the first batter he faced and retired the next two on flyouts to right field. He then exited, having reached his pitch limit.

The Brewers play split squad road games today vs the Rangers and A's, both at 2:05 CST. Zack Greinke starts against the Rangers while Chris Narveson leads off against the Athletics.

Brewers Baseball Is Here!

The Brewers began Cactus League play on Monday, splitting their split squad games against the Cubs (W, 5-3) and Giants (L, 10-9). Shaun Marcum looked sharp starting vs the Giants, retiring the first four in a row while throwing only fastballs and changeups for the day. He threw 16 of his 17 pitches for strikes and said he "accomplished what [he] wanted to get accomplished."

Prince Fielder Should Embrace the Bunt

Yesterday during the Brewers intrasquad game Prince Fielder threw down a bunt for a base hit. When I heard about it I couldn't help but laugh at what seemed simply to be more evidence of the relaxed atmosphere currently surrounding the Brewers. After thinking about it, though, I hope he spends more time practicing bunting this spring in order to feel comfortable laying one down during the regular season.

Still More Pics From Spring Training

Here's another set courtesy of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Marcum Discusses Brewers Rotation

Today Shaun Marcum spoke with MLB Network about the Brewers rotation and his approach on the mound. Here is a link to the short video, and below are pictures from this past weekend courtesy of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

2011 Brewers Free From Contracts of Hall, Suppan

Suppan Drops the Ball

Jaymes Langrehr wrote Wednesday that the Brewers' opening day payroll should sit near that of 2010 (roughly $90 million) once salaries are finalized for Rickie Weeks, Shaun Marcum, and Kameron Loe. Yet fans and analysts alike expect the 2011 Brewers to be significantly improved from the 2010 squad (though some still don't quite buy it). The main reason the Brewers find themselves able to field a better team this year at a similar cost to last year: freedom from the burdensome contracts of Bill Hall and Jeff Suppan.

Fielder avoids arbitration with 1-year deal

Prince Fielder and the Brewers have reportedly come to terms for his final season of arbitration eligibility. Fielder will make $15.5 million in 2011, setting a new mark for the highest paid Brewer in a single season (previous-- Zack Greinke, $13.5 million for 2011). At $15.5 million, Fielder surpasses the bar set by Mark Texeira in 2008 ($12.5 million, Braves) for the highest paid, arbitration-eligible position player.

The Brewers also reached a deal today with Manny Parra ($1.2 million), leaving only Rickie Weeks, Shaun Marcum, and Kameron Loe to reach terms with the Brewers for 2011.

Will Prince Fielder end up a Cub?

MLBTradeRumors.com looked ahead this week to the market for Prince Fielder once he becomes a free agent after the 2011 season. The more I read about this topic the more I think it's likely he'll become a Cub. As much as that idea pains me, it will be his loss for joining a team with 100 years of losing behind them, and likely 100 more ahead of them.

Use the link above to read the whole article or continue here for the reasons he's likely to become a Cub.

MLB Network's "Top 10 Right Now"

MLB Network has been airing a program this week that features their choices for the top ten players at each position across the Majors. Word has it that Ryan Braun pulled in the #1 spot for left fielders!

@BrewerNation tweets that Mitch Williams is not pleased with the choice-- unsurprising considering Mitch almost never misses an opportunity to get a dig in on Braun. That episode airs today at 12:00 PM CST and again on Sunday at 4:00. Don't worry, it appears as though MLB Network will be re-airing episodes nearly every day.

1B will air tomorrow at 3:00 and is bound to feature Prince Fielder. My guess is he comes in at #6, behind (not necessarily in this order) Albert Pujols, Adrian Gonzalez, Miguel Cabrera, Mark Texeira, Ryan Howard and possibly Joey Votto, which would push Prince to #7.