The 2011 edition of Milwaukee Brewers "25 in 25" starts out with the biggest player on the roster - 1st baseman Prince Fielder. And I don't say that just because he is the largest player on the team, I say that because he is the most important player on the offensive side of the ball. But enough about the weight jokes already. I mean just look at him! That picture was taken in the offseason when he visited China as a MLB ambassador to try and spread the love of baseball there or some shit. He's looking rather trim though. He must have been hanging out up in the gym with Fergie just working on his fitness. I'm sure that he just got tired of people giving him a hard time about his body and the fact that he would eventually break down because of his weight. The big reason he's out to prove them wrong is because this is his last year with the Brewers before he hits free agency for the first time. He's looking for that big contract (which some speculate is 7-8 years at $20-25 million a year) and if he is a liability defensively, that limits his suitors to AL teams where he eventually shift to the DH role.Since there is no way the Brewers can afford to pay one player that amount when the team's payroll is in the $80-90 million range, many people (including me) expected the Brewers to trade him in the offseason less he walk away and we get nothing but 2 compensation draft picks in return. That's because the Brewers needed pitching, and Prince was (pun intended) their biggest trading piece. It's ok that I still use weight jokes because I'm a big guy myself. And much like people of ethic backgrounds can call each other names that are otherwise deemed racial slurs, I can call him fat or big boned. But if he keeps in shape I can't make fun of him anymore, so I guess I have to hit up the gym and stay on pace with him. But I have no motivation to do so. It's not like I have $180 million dollars hanging in the balance. But this isn't about me, it's about Prince Fielder.So now it's time for everyone to come to the conclusion that Prince will be playing for a different team next season. Unless his price tag drops considerably, we just cannot afford a player of his superstar caliber. But instead of getting upset about it, whining that baseball doesn't have a salary cap and that small market teams can never compete (which is all a bunch of bullshit in my opinion, but that rant is too long for today) let's instead focus on the positive - we have one more year of Prince Fielder to lead what should be one of the top 5 offenses in all of baseball. So I decided to talk about Fielder for "25 in 25" in front of the only venue in this town big enough to hold a talent like his - Miller Park, home to your Milwaukee Brewers.
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