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Milwaukee Brewers News

Crew still has a chance in Central
"Only a fool would say the Brewers will not miss Prince Fielder. He is a freak-of-nature hitter, one of about two of his kind at the moment in the major leagues. Only a fool would say the Brewers could have done something to re-sign him. Even with Miller Park and revenue sharing and top-10 attendance, the Brewers will never be able to do anything about their standing as MLB's smallest media market. Consequently, the Brewers' local radio/TV money, which always will separate them from the outrageous spenders, always will be relative sofa-cushion change. It is a wonder they can afford one $100 million contract with Ryan Braun. Another $200 million contract? Let's just say the Wharton School of"
Q&A with Brewers manager Ron Roenicke
"In less than one week, the Milwaukee Brewers' pitchers and catchers will report to spring training in Phoenix. Manager Ron Roenicke's first year with the club was a tremendous success, with a club-record 96 victories, the Brewers' first National League Central crown and first postseason series triumph in 29 years. As Roenicke prepared for the start of his second spring camp as the Brewers' skipper, he took time to answer 10 questions from Journal Sentinel baseball writer Tom Haudricourt. Q. As your second spring training as manager of the Brewers draws near, what is primary in your thinking? What is on your mind the most? A. After having a good season, I don't think there will be a lot of"
Brewers, Braun await appeal verdict
"Had the date of Ryan Braun's appeal hearing not leaked to the media, one would have no way of knowing that the recommended deadline for rendering a verdict is near. But, just as the positive drug test of the Milwaukee Brewers' star leftfielder leaked, so did the hearing dates. Braun appealed that result and pending 50-game suspension before a three-man arbitration panel in New York City on Jan. 19-20. Major League Baseball's drug policy states that the panel chair, in this case Shyam Das, "shall make all reasonable efforts" to render a verdict within 25 days following the opening of the hearing. The 25th day after the hearing opened would be Monday. That recommendation is not rigid,"
Brewers' Melvin on Greinke: 'Zack likes it here'
"Brewers starter Zack Greinke is to become a free agent at the end of the 2012 season. Brewers' general manager Doug Melvin was interviewed Wednesday on MLB Network Radio on Sirius XM by Jim Memolo and Todd Hollandsworth. Melvin was asked about Greinke. Memolo: "From where I'm sitting I'm not sure how you're going to handle Zack Greinke, considering what you gave up in that trade. How are you going to handle that? What's your priority with Zack Greinke right now?""
Brewers, Marcum avoid arbitration
"Minutes before a scheduled arbitration hearing Friday afternoon in St. Petersburg, Fla., the Milwaukee Brewers and right-hander Shaun Marcum reached agreement on a one-year deal for $7,725,000 - the midpoint of figures filed in mid-January. So, why didn't the sides settle at the midpoint without going all the way to Florida? "Sometimes there are things out of your control," said Teddy Werner, the Brewers' vice president for business operations. "Sometimes the process has to play out." In other words, the arbitration process is all about comparables when working out a contract figure. The best comparables in terms of service time and production for Marcum were Chicago Cubs right-hander Matt"
On Heyward's swing, Hanson's shoulder, Braun's MVP
"When a reporter mentioned this week that Jason Heyward had dropped about 20 pounds during the offseason and asked Chipper Jones if he'd noticed a difference in Heyward's physique and how it affected his swing, Jones smiled and pretty much scoffed. For the record, the nearly 6-foot-5 right fielder has gone from an imposing, chiseled 256 pounds to a chiseled, imposing 235. In terms to which some of our readers may better relate, Heyward's gone from D-1 defensive end to D-1 tight end."
Hockey player at heart, Nyjer Morgan practices with hometown Sharks
"If Nyjer Morgan could choose between being a professional baseball player and a pro hockey player, he'd choose hockey in a heartbeat. After all, he grew up playing youth hockey in San Jose, idolizing his hometown Sharks. Though he did make it as far as the major junior level in Canada, the two-sport star's talents eventually led him to pursue baseball. But the Brewers outfielder got to live a dream Wednesday when he took to the ice to practice with his hometown team. "Obviously to be out there to skate with my childhood team and just to be out there with the boys was an unbelievable feeling," said a beaming Morgan, whose black sweater featured his familiar No. 2 and the name "Plush" across"
Sources: Playoff expansion has issues
"Baseball commissioner Bud Selig continues to talk confidently about expanding the baseball playoff field in 2012. But sources tell ESPN.com efforts to make that happen remain bogged down, all because of one thorny little complication: the details. Wednesday was supposed to be the day the commissioner's office finished a proposed schedule for the 2012 postseason and shipped it to the players' association for consideration. But sources told ESPN.com that deadline wasn't going to be met -- not because talks have broken down, but because fitting two extra wild-card pieces into the postseason puzzle has proven to be more involved than the commissioner has been willing to acknowledge. The new"
MVP award should be re-voted if Braun loses appeal
"NBC broadcaster Bob Costas sounded a call about the Ryan Braun episode that more observers will repeat if the Brewers' leftfielder fails to win his appeal for reportedly testing positive for a banned substance. Costas was interviewed by Dan Patrick Tuesday morning in Indianapolis on Patrick's radio show. Both broadcasters are at Super Bowl XLVI as part of NBC's coverage of the event. Both are part of NBC's "Football Night in America" show on Sunday nights in the regular season. Patrick asked Costas, who also works for the MLB Network, what was going to happen with Braun's case. "No one has ever won an appeal," Costas said. "The thing is set up and it's made clear that even if you by your"
Nyjer plans to skate with Sharks
"Outfielder Nyjer Morgan needs another alter ego. Tony Powerplay. Igor Plushski. You can bet that Morgan -- a.k.a. Tony Plush and myriad other monikers -- will come up with something good when he returns to his sporting roots this week. Morgan is set to skate with his hometown San Jose Sharks during their practice on Wednesday afternoon. Morgan, a Bay Area native who grew up playing hockey, remains an avid fan. But he gave up on the sport about a decade ago to focus on baseball, a choice that took him and his many alter egos all the way to the Major Leagues and a spot in Brewers history after delivering the hit that propelled the team to last year's National League Championship Series."
Greinke open to contract extension
"Brewers ace Zack Greinke said he is still operating without an agent, but that does not necessarily scuttle the chances of a contract extension. Greinke is entering his second season with the team, and the final season of the four-year, $38 million extension he signed in January 2009. He severed his ties with CAA Sports last year, after the Brewers acquired Greinke in a trade with the Royals. "It'd be me in charge as of right now," he said. "So, we'll see how long that lasts." Asked about a possible extension, Greinke said, "I'll talk to them about it. I don't really want to talk to anyone else about it. But I like the business of baseball. It's exciting for me. It's not like I plan on"
Rickie Weeks still not fully recovered from ankle sprain
"It's been nearly six months since Brewers second baseman Rickie Weeks suffered a severe left ankle sprain. And he's still in recovery mode. Weeks was able to return from the injury last season, but he batted just .243 with a .743 OPS over his final 46 regular-season plate appearances and went 6-for-41 (.146) in the playoffs. Weeks talked about his ongoing rehab Sunday afternoon at the Brewers' fan convention."
New Brewers players to be at 'On Deck' event
"Those planning to attend the Milwaukee Brewers' fan festival Sunday at the Frontier Airlines Center can count on interacting with a variety of new faces. For beginners, three-fourths of the starting infield is different from the squad that captured the 2011 National League Central Division crown. Veteran free agents Aramis Ramirez and Alex Gonzalez have replaced Casey McGehee and Yuniesky Betancourt at third base and shortstop, respectively. Ramirez and Gonzalez will be introduced to fans during a question-and-answer session in which team owner Mark Attanasio and general manager Doug Melvin also will participate. That session begins at 12:15 p.m. on the main stage. Ramirez, who signed a"
Selig expects two one-game playoffs for this fall
"Baseball appears ready for an extra round of wild-card playoffs by this fall, according to commissioner Bud Selig. "I really believe we'll have the (extra) wild card for this year," Selig said Friday at SoxFest. "Clubs really want it. I don't think I've ever seen an issue that the clubs want more than to have the extra wild card." The extra round would be one-game elimination in both the National and American Leagues to the teams who would have missed the playoffs as they are set up now. Some have argued for a best-of-three, but that appears impossible with the scheduled all but set for 2012."
MLB allows retired Tony La Russa to manage in All-Star game against Ron Washington
"Tony La Russa will come out of retirement to manage the National League team for the July 10 All-Star Game at Kansas City. La Russa will go against Texas Rangers manager Ron Washington, who will handle the American League team for the second consecutive season. La Russa retired shortly after St. Louis defeated the Rangers in the seven-game World Series."
Prince Fielder agrees to 9-year, $214M deal with Tigers
"Slugging first baseman Prince Fielder has agreed to a nine-year contract with the Detroit Tigers, the Free Press learned today from an industry source familiar with the deal. The deal is expected to be worth around $214 million, an average of $23.8 million per year, according to the source. Fielder still must pass his physical for the deal to be complete. The Tigers, coming off an AL championship series loss to Texas, apparently have filled the void left by this month's ACL injury suffered by designated hitter Victor Martinez. Regular first baseman Miguel Cabrera said today that he will move to third base."
Reports: Prince Fielder coming to Tigers
"The various complications can be worked out later. For now, this much is clear: In stunning fashion as the so-called "mystery" team in the negotiations the Tigers reportedly have come to terms with first baseman Prince Fielder on a nine-year contract worth $214 million. As of 4 p.m. Tuesday, the team hadn't yet confirmed the signing — but the Tigers usually wait until a physical is taken and passed before making announcements. It could also be there's some language in the contract still to be worked out. But the framework of a bold free-agent signing is in place."
If Prince Fielder wants to win, Rangers are his only option
"Gosselin: I think that would be more attractive for Prince to come here. I think it's still a glaring need, first base. … He's got limited options. We're talking the Rangers and the Nationals. If he wants the money, go to the Nationals. If you want to win, take a smaller deal. And he's got to like what he sees with that order, he becomes probably the cleanup hitter and the pitching staff goes five-deep with starters, three in the pen. If you want to win, this is the place for him to come. This is his only option to come."
Nats should save a princely sum and pass on Fielder
"Let's say it in one simple sentence: The Nats would be nuts to sign Prince Fielder. Nuts as in crazy, insane, daft, wacko, bonkers, loco, mad, et al. For one thing, they don't really need him. For another, such a free agent signing at $150 million or so could seriously impact the Nationals' chances of getting Ryan Zimmerman's name on a long-term contract extension."
What should Prince Fielder's contract look like?
"Since 2008, there have been five megabucks contracts handed out to five elite first basemen. Those deals might be instructive as to the kind deal Prince Fielder can hope to expect – and the kind of deal the Nationals may have to fork over in order to land him. These deals came in different ways, at different points of each players' career. Ryan Howard received an extension, and Miguel Cabrera had his final year of arbitration bought out. So these are not all ideal analogies for Fielder, but the figures offer the right picture for the kind of financial stratosphere he fits into."
Nationals, Prince Fielder remain in talks
"The Nationals are among a handful of teams still working on signing free agent Prince Fielder, a person familiar with the negotiations said. The sides have yet to reach a deal but remain in communication. The Nationals have been connected to Fielder for weeks, with the owners meeting with Fielder's representative, Scott Boras, on multiple occasions. The Texas Rangers have been the team most commonly regarded as a suitor for Fielder, but another potential landing spot has emerged for Fielder, and one that could pique the Nationals' interest: the Baltimore Orioles."
Brewers: Braun to be exonerated?
"Ryan Braun's tumultuous offseason may be getting better. Last month, news broke that the Milwaukee Brewers left fielder tested positive for a banned substance that earned him a mandatory 50-game suspension to start the 2012 season. Braun appealed the finding before an arbitration panel in New York last week. On his Monday morning radio show, commentator Dan Patrick said he'd learned from "somebody involved in this" that Braun may avoid suspension. Patrick also was told that Braun's test, reportedly for a very high level of testosterone, had nothing to do with a personal medical issue."
Rangers should 'do what it takes' to sign Prince Fielder - even if it means letting Josh Hamilton go
"Josh Hamilton's 10th-inning, two-run homer in Game 6 of the World Series seemed like a storybook ending to a physically trying postseason for the slugger. But little did Hamilton know, it was just the beginning of a run of bad luck. The Rangers slugger ended up on the losing end of a World Series for the second straight year after Texas' bullpen couldn't hold a two-run lead, and Hamilton had to follow the season with surgery to repair a painful sports hernia. He then lost Jerry Narron, his "accountability partner" in Texas, to the Milwaukee Brewers, and saw his father-in-law, Michael Dean Chadwick, hired to replace Narron, only to have Chadwick drop out days later."
Braun accepts MVP, talks indirectly about drug testing controversy
"Though not specifically referencing the drug testing controversy that has enveloped him for most of the off-season, Ryan Braun did not ignore it as many expected when accepting his National League most valuable player award Saturday night. The Milwaukee Brewers' star leftfielder, who awaits the verdict from an arbitration panel on whether he'll be suspended for the first 50 games of the 2012 season, talked about facing "adversity" and "challenge" during his speech at the annual Baseball Writers Association of America awards banquet at the New York Hilton. "Sometimes in life we all deal with challenges we never expected to endure," said Braun, making his first public appearance since a"
Panel holds fate of Brewers' Braun
"And now Ryan Braun and the Milwaukee Brewers wait for the verdict. Assuming Braun's arbitration hearing concluded Friday as expected in New York, major-league baseball's Basic Agreement calls for a decision to be rendered within 25 days as the Brewers' all-star leftfielder seeks to avoid a 50-game suspension for a reported positive test for a banned substance in October. While 25 days are allotted if necessary, everyone involved is hoping for a shorter timetable for the important verdict. The three-man panel is allowed to announce its decision in advance of the required written opinion. The New York Daily News reported that Braun's arbitration hearing began Thursday in front of a panel"
Rangers haven't closed door on deal for Prince Fielder
"Yu Darvish, in some circles of the Texas Rangers' fan base, is yesterday's news, even though he will be introduced as the newest member of the club during a news conference at 7 tonight. Prince Fielder was running only a neck behind Darvish as the top player of interest as the deadline to sign the right-hander approached, and now the free-agent first baseman has pulled away as the center of the fans' attention."
Are Rangers planning a 'surprise attack' for Prince Fielder?
"Could the Rangers have the element of surprise on their side? They certainly hope so. After the club announced on Wednesday that they'd reached a $60 million deal with pitcher Yu Darvish, most clubs, fans included, figured there was little chance the Rangers would go on another spending spree -- all but ending their chances of going after first baseman Prince Fielder, considered by many to be the most coveted free agent in baseball. But as Bob Nightengal of USA Today reports, the silence on the Rangers homefront could be a good thing. After the club reportedly met with Fielder at the Four Season Resort last Friday, rumors started to swirl that the club was taking the first step towards"
The Nationals look like Prince Fielder favorites
"My instant analysis from last night concerning the effect of Yu Darvish's contract on Prince Fielder already seems woefully wrong. I still liked the Rangers' chances to land Fielder, and then Rangers General Manager Jon Daniels said of signing him, "I'm intimately aware of our budget, and it's very unlikely." I still believe the Rangers have gobs of television money and people who are smart and creative enough in their front office to dance around budget constraints. And hitting at Rangers Ballpark, surrounded by that lineup, has to be enticing for Fielder. I'm still not totally counting Texas out. But that is one undeniably strong statement by Daniels."
Brewers' Ryan Braun, NL MVP, pleads case to special panel Thursday trying to avoid 50-game suspension
"Ryan Braun, the National League's Most Valuable Player, pleaded his case Thursday before a three-member panel that will decide whether he faces a 50-game suspension for testing positive for elevated levels of testosterone. The appeal came just two days before Braun will accept his MVP award at the New York Chapter of the Baseball Writers' Association of America's dinner Saturday night at the New York Hilton, sources familiar with Braun told the Daily News. A decision by the panel, which includes MLB Players Association executive director Michael Weiner, MLB executive vice president for labor relations Rob Manfred and independent arbitrator Shyam Das, is not expected to come before Braun"
Prince Fielder slightly more likely for M's after Rangers sign Yu Darvish
"With the Texas Rangers finalizing a six-year, $60 million deal with Yu Darvish on Wednesday, it's less likely they'll have the funds needed to also sign star free agent Prince Fielder. Which means the Mariners now have a slightly better chance to snag the hard-hitting first baseman than they did before. I say "slightly" because, well, Seattle still has many high hurdles to clear for any deal with Fielder. First of all, there's the money issue. After the Angels signed Albert Pujols for $240 million over 10 years, the salary bar is high for a hot commodity like Fielder. He could be looking for $200 million or more from whatever team eventually signs him. And the Mariners aren't exactly"
Prince Fielder to Tigers still long shot, but Rangers appear spent
"As if the market didn't seem bad enough already for Prince Fielder, there appears to be one less suitor for the slugging first baseman. With the Rangers beating Wednesday's afternoon deadline in reaching agreement on a six-year, $60 million deal with Japanese pitcher Yu Darvish, it would seem there won't be enough money left in Nolan Ryan's coffers to add an offensive force who's seeking a deal of $100 million-plus. The Rangers have had a void at first since shipping prospect Justin Smoak to the Mariners for the Cliff Lee rental in July 2010, but made it no secret Darvish was priority No. 1."
Does Yu Darvish's contract change things for Prince Fielder?
"The Texas Rangers and Japanese superstar right-handed pitcher Yu Darvish reached an agreement for a six-year contract this evening, reportedly worth $60 million. Combined with the $51.7 million the Rangers bid through the posting system in order to win the rights to negotiate with Darvish, Texas paid more than $111 million to acquire him. The ripple effect for the Nationals comes in relation to Prince Fielder. With the Darvish negotiation settled, the Rangers can fully turn their focus to their approach to Fielder, which should give agent Scott Boras at least a small amount of leverage with his talks with Nationals ownership regarding Fielder, the elite slugging first baseman who has"
Melvin says Gamel remains heir apparent at first base
"The Milwaukee Brewers don't expect Mat Gamel to be the next Prince Fielder. They just hope he isn't the next Joey Meyer or Billy Jo Robidoux. Gamel is the heir apparent to Fielder's first base job and is expected to assume primary duties there when spring training begins next month. It's been a long time coming for Gamel, a prospect who's put up gaudy minor league numbers but struggled in a couple of brief appearances in the big leagues."
With Yu Darvish on team, Prince Fielder looks doubtful
"General manager Jon Daniels said on Wednesday that the chances of signing free-agent first baseman Prince Fielder aren't good after the club agreed to terms with right-hander Yu Darvish. The total package for Darvish deal -- six years, $60 million ($56 million guaranteed) and a $51.7 million posting fee --- will push the Rangers' payroll to an all-time high. With the number of core players the Rangers are hoping to sign to extensions and the spare parts that still need to be added before spring training, Fielder doesn't seem like a fit in the budget."
Seven reasons the Rangers are the best fit for Prince Fielder
"While all eyes are on Yu Darvish Wednesday, a player with a substantially more impressive MLB resume will be waiting in the wings. Prince Fielder, the best hitter left on the free agent market, seems to be biding his time for a Darvish decision to be reached before signing his own massive contract. The wait, it seems, is to see just what the Rangers do. If they end up investing millions in Darvish, they might spend themselves out of the Fielder sweepstakes. Otherwise, they're by far the best fit for the slugger."
Fielder still available as days dwindle before spring training
"In the past few days, the Washington Nationals have been busy with housekeeping. They've extended Gio Gonzalez, a $42 million outlay that'll keep the left-hander in Washington through at least 2016. They've given hefty raises to Jordan Zimmermann and Tyler Clippard in their first years of arbitration, and they boosted the salaries of lefty Tom Gorzelanny and catcher Jesus Flores with modest raises as well. They've left themselves a little work to do with left-hander John Lannan and slugger Michael Morse, who failed to agree to salary terms before Tuesday's deadline for an exchange of arbitration figures. Lannan asked for $5.7 million in arbitration and the Nationals countered at $5"
Melvin says Gamel remains heir apparent at first base
"The Milwaukee Brewers don't expect Mat Gamel to be the next Prince Fielder. They just hope he isn't the next Joey Meyer or Billy Jo Robidoux. Gamel is the heir apparent to Fielder's first base job and is expected to assume primary duties there when spring training begins next month. It's been a long time coming for Gamel, a prospect who's put up gaudy minor league numbers but struggled in a couple of brief appearances in the big leagues. Along the way, he's generated doubts about his maturity and professionalism among many in the organization."
Brewers sign Aoki to two-year deal
"The Brewers have signed outfielder Norichika Aoki to a two-year contract with a club option for 2014. They had until 4 p.m. to sign Aoki or lose his negotiating rights. Brewers GM Doug Melvin said he didn't want to get into terms of the deal because the contract had not been filed yet with the the MLB Labor Relations Board. He said the deal included "a fair amount of incentives." Melvin said the sides did not bump up to the deadline but the announcement was late because of a busy day with the Craig Counsell news conference and arbitration signings."
Brewers 'close' to deal with Aoki
"Brewers general manager Doug Melvin just said he is "close" to a deal with Japanese outfielder Norichika Aoki. The sides have until 4 p.m. to do a deal or the club loses negotiating rights. Melvin made the comment at the end of the press conference introducing Craig Counsell as a new member of the front office. He would not say if the negotiations involve a one-year deal or more. "I don't want to say until something is done," he said."
K-Rod signs for $8 million
"The Brewers have struck a one-year deal with Francisco Rodriguez for $8 million, avoiding what could have been a complicated arbitration case. Rodriguez had a base salary of $11.5 million last year and was a free agent who unexpectedly accepted the Brewers' offer of salary arbitration last December. The Brewers plan to use "K-Rod" as a setup man for closer John Axford. His agent, Scott Boras, views him as closer material, and thus the stage was set for an interesting philosophical debate. Instead, this deal was struck, leaving the Brewers with three players in arbitration: RHP Shaun Marcum and relievers Kameron Loe and Jose Veras."
Rangers would have to go seven years to get Fielder; could club sign Yu Darvish and Roy Oswalt?
"I think Yu Darvish will get either a five or six-year deal from the Rangers, and I think the dollars will be, annually, between $10 and $11 million. He'll end up with a little bit more salary-wise than Daisuke Matsuzaka did, and I think that's a big deal in terms of the Japanese market defining things. With Prince, they're not going to go eight years, but I think the Rangers are going to have to be willing to go to maybe a seven-year guarantee with an escape clause for the player somewhere in the contract, and maybe an escape clause for the club. It's going to take some kind of creative thinking to get a deal done. The Rangers were very impressed with how he looked, and he is very athletic"
Prince Fielder has made it 'very clear' he wants to be with Rangers
"On if the Rangers' pursuit of Prince Fielder is simply a negotiating tactic for Yu Darvish: Grant : I think there's a lot is a lot of negotiating tactic going on here, but I think, when you cut to the chase, I think the Rangers are interest in signing both Yu Darvish and Prince Fielder. I expect the Darvish deal is going to get done. Nolan Ryan has been very upfront about saying he thinks it's going to get done, they feel optimistic about that. But it's very, very clear that this is where he wants to be. He's waiting all winter, guys who normally have the kind of contract demands he has usually sign in December. We're now in the second week of January and he's still sitting there unsigned."
Clock winding down for Brewers on Aoki deal
"The Milwaukee Brewers face deadlines on a couple of fronts Tuesday. The Brewers have until 4 p.m. to reach agreement on a contract with Japanese outfielder Norichika Aoki or lose negotiating rights to sign him. Four hours before that, teams will exchange salary figures with their remaining unsigned players eligible for arbitration. The Brewers' number of arbitration-eligible players dipped from five to four when centerfielder Nyjer Morgan agreed to a $2.35 million deal. Because agents and teams were busy Monday preparing their arbitration figures, Brewers general manager Doug Melvin said he had no conversations with Aoki's agent, Nez Balelo. The sides exchanged contract proposals over the"
Report: Washington Nationals seriously pursuing free agent Prince Fielder
"If the Rangers were hoping every other serious contender had bowed out of the race for Prince Fielder, they're out of luck. An unidentified source tole MLB.com's Bill Ladson that the Nationals are still heavily pursuing free agent Prince Fielder, and appear to be one of the few teams in serious talks with the first baseman. The source told Ladson that the most likely suitors for Fielder are the Nationals, Rangers and Marlins, and that the Cubs and Mariners, widely rumored to be interested in Fielder, aren't serious contenders at this point."
Rangers might be trying to decide between Hamilton, Fielder
"Josh Hamilton, feeling fine and potentially a free agent after the 2012 season, said on Saturday that he would gladly welcome the addition of free-agent first baseman Prince Fielder. "To imagine our lineup with Prince Fielder in it, it's pretty ridiculous looking," Hamilton said. "The short porch in right, my man could hit bombs. It would be pretty exciting to throw him in the mix." The goal, said Hamilton, is to put the best team on the field for 2012 and win the World Series after finishing as the runners-up the past two seasons. Fielder would be an upgrade, though at a steep price. So steep, in fact, that having him on the payroll could push a long-term extension for Hamilton out of the"
Nats still in running to land free-agent Fielder
"The Nationals continue to be in the Prince Fielder sweepstakes, although the club is not willing to give the free-agent first baseman a 10-year deal like the one that first baseman Albert Pujols got from the Angels, according to a baseball source. It appears that the Nationals are, however, willing to give Fielder a no-trade clause. An industry source believes that the Nationals want to give Fielder a six- or seven-year deal. The length of the contract was also a problem when the Nationals were trying to sign left-hander Mark Buehrle. The club wanted to give him a three-year deal, but Buehrle ended up signing a four-year, $58 million contract with the Marlins. The source also said the"
Brewers swap proposals with Japanese outfielder
"The Milwaukee Brewers have exchanged contract proposals with Japanese outfielder Norichika Aoki, but general manager Doug Melvin said Saturday it was too early to tell if a deal could be worked out before the Tuesday deadline. "We've made an offer to him and he gave us a proposal back," said Melvin, who has been negotiating with Nez Balelo, the agent for Aoki. "That's where it's at. We're evaluating it. We're going to look at this vs. the other options out there with outfielders. We're still negotiating and exploring other options." The Brewers have until 4 p.m. Tuesday to sign Aoki or lose negotiating rights to him. They won those rights by posting a winning bid of $2.5 million in"
Reports: Prince Fielder talks to Rangers
"Free-agent slugger Prince Fielder is in Dallas to meet with the Texas Rangers at an area hotel, according to multiple media reports. According to USA Today, the former Milwaukee Brewers first baseman and Rangers general manager Jon Daniels were in the lobby of the hotel. The Rangers are one of a handful of teams interested in the top hitter remaining on the free-agent market, but according to USA Today, the meeting should not be taken to mean that they are the favorite. According to CBSSports.com, Fielder has embarked on a tour of teams."
Brewers, Parra reach deal
"The Milwaukee Brewers avoided arbitration with left-hander Manny Parra, agreeing to a one-year deal Thursday. MLB.com reported the deal is worth $1.2 million, the same salary Parra had in 2011. Parra missed the 2011 season, first with back issues, then an ailing elbow that eventually required surgery. He is expected to be full-go by spring training, and short on lefties in their bullpen, the Brewers opted to offer Parra a contract to see what he might do. Arbitration contracts are not guaranteed, however."