On the field, nothing will change with Prince Fielder. Hell play first base, bat fourth and is still considered the key of the Milwaukee Brewers offense.
Off the field, Fielder says theres nothing to worry about right now, either. He wants to stay in Milwaukee as long as he can and theres no urgency in negotiating for a new contract.
I came up here and I love it here, so I want to stay here as long as possible, Fielder said Sunday at the Brewers annual offseason fan event. Im here for two more years anyway, so Im just trying to see what happens then and all the other stuff hopefully will work out.
Fielder hit .299 with 46 homers and tied for the major-league lead with 141 RBIs last season. He has a year left on an $18.5 million, two-year deal signed last season and the Brewers still hold his rights through the 2011 season.
The guy is a definite force now, Brewers manager Ken Macha said. I think his contributions are greater than the numbers that hes put up.
After next season, Fielder could join a crowded class of free-agent first basemen that may include St. Louis Albert Pujols, Philadelphias Ryan Howard and San Diegos Adrian Gonzalez. Fielder said he hasnt done a lot of thinking about whats in the distant future, but realizes hell be the youngest of that group who could be available.
Ive never been a free agent. Im just thinking on things Ive been told, the 25-year-old Fielder said on his priorities. The moneys great, but in the end, if you have money and youre not happy; say, if the team doesnt think theyre going anywhere, you have to make sure everything is order when you sign that kind of long-term (contract).
The slugger has had a busy offseason back home in Florida, moving into a new house in Windermere and taking his children to school daily. His home has a workout facility and a batting cage, and he said he started conditioning immediately after the season ended to keep his weight down.
So I dont turn into an obese person, because I can, said Fielder, who weighed 268 pounds last season.
Fielder, who is represented by Scott Boras, says his only concern right now is playing out his first contract, even though he realizes hell be asked about his plans more and more as he moves closer to free agency.
In the end, its my decision. But as my agent, hes going to make sure I have the most information possible about whats going to benefit me and my family first. Thats what its about first, Fielder said. My family has to be happy and then we go from there.
General manager Doug Melvin said he wont discuss any negotiations because it can hinder the process, but the organization recognizes Fielders value.
I dont think theres any secrets to what kind of player he is. You just have to look at his numbers and his performance and how hes been here in the organization the entire time, Melvin said. (He) grew up here, developed here, came on the scene quick.
Melvin said he had no specific time to discuss Fielders future with Boras.
Itll all be done behind closed doors at a certain time and a certain place and I dont even know where that place is and I dont know where that time is, he said. Theres really not a story to it from my standpoint.
In the meantime, Fielder will be right back where hes comfortable this season – hitting cleanup for the Brewers, who scored the third-most runs in the NL last season. After making the postseason in 2008 and fading to 80-82 last season, Fielder has a simple goal for this years club.
My thing is just to get better, he said. Worry about our division first, worry about our own stuff first. When your team is crisp, taking care of their business, then all that other stuff falls into place.
