According to various reports Prince Fielder has done an interview with TBS to be aired this weekend in which he casts further doubt on him remaining with the Milwaukee Brewers beyond this season. Based on his recent performance, I say him and his evil-agent Scott Boras can’t leave this town soon enough.
From the Milwaukee Journal/Sentinel recount:
“I’m signed for this year, but being real about it, it is probably the last year,” Fielder told Anderson.
Referring to the slugging tandem he has formed with leftfielder Ryan Braun, Fielder said, “It’s been great. Unfortunately, this is probably the last year of the one-two punch. . . . Hopefully, we can go out with a blast.”
Asked Wednesday night about that interview, Fielder said, “That’s exactly what I said. I mean, you guys said it last year. It’s probably (the last year). It is what it is.”
“They asked me a question. It’s the same thing I’ve been saying.”
http://www.jsonline.com/sports/brewers/129857988.html
Fielder is making a franchise record $15.5 million dollars this year. He turned down a 5-year, $100 million offer from the club previously.
Of all the times to do this, why now you greedy punk!!! Because they asked you a question? Whatever!
Perhaps it is because he is failing so miserably now that he has his numbers to get paid. Last night with runners on 1st and 3rd Fielder stepped to the plate with his team down four runs to the already eliminated Colorado Rockies. The first pitch was the fattest, hanging slider thrown by a pitcher this year. He came up empty; just like he has for most of the last month. He finished the at bat by striking out meekly on a pitch that bounced five feet in front of home plate and look about as disinterested as any player could be with this much on the line for the team.
Prince has only 6 home runs since August 12th with only one of those coming against a team that matters and it didn’t. His other home runs have come against Houston (2), Pittsburgh (1), Chicago (1) and Colorado (1). The lone HR against a team that mattered was late in an 8 – 4 loss to St. Louis.
During that time his numbers have plummeted:
- Average: .308 – .294
- OBP: .420 – .407
- Slugging %: .575 – .542
- OPS: .995 – .949
Of his 31 hits over that span, he has only 11 extra base hits and has driven a pathetic 21 runs while striking out 26 times. For those that wonder how other players have fared during the same timeframe…
Ryan Braun (the guy that can live on a $100 million contract)
- Average: .323 – .329
- OBP: .392 – .395
- Slugging %: .574 – .579
- OPS: .966 – .974
Braun has 44 hits, 7 HR’s, 17 extra base hits and 23 RBI and stole ten bases (Fielder has 0 for the year).
Corey Hart (7 HR’s from the lead-off spot, 15 extra base hits)
- Average: .273 – .282
- OBP: .351 – .355
- Slugging %: .479 – .503
- OPS: .830 – .858
Nyjer Morgan has maintained his OBP at .355 (.354 on 8/12) as well so the three guys ahead of Prince have been giving him even greater opportunities to shine
And for comparison’s sake…
Albert Pujols (the other guy that thinks he is worth $200M plus)
- Average: .286 – .296
- OBP: .349 – .366
- Slugging%: .538 – .545
- OPS: .887 – .911
I wrote about the drop off of both Braun and Fielder in another article where I compare the “other” MVP candidates. You can see how he compares to them here: (http://www.ultimatesportstalk.com/MLB/2011/09/13/fielder-and-braun-coming-up-short/)
The bottom line is Prince, along with another Boras client in Francisco Rodriguez who made noise yesterday as well, are selfish players that do not care what happens to this team or Milwaukee, just show them (and Boras) the money once this grind of season comes to an end.
(To see what K-Rod had to say: http://www.jsonline.com/sports/brewers/129856708.html)
As an aside, the Brewers closer before K-Rod arrived, John Axford has not blown a save since the other Boras player arrived but Rodriguez has blown 3 late inning leads in his 17 hold/save situations. Axford, 42/44. Yeah, Frankie, we should turn it over to you.
I have advocated for Prince in the past, but the timing of this and his significant drop off when it really mattered have shown his true being.
