Fielder signs two-year deal with Brewers

Jan 23, 2009 - 11:05 PM MILWAUKEE (Ticker) - The Milwaukee Brewers avoided salary arbitration with Prince Fielder, signing the first baseman to a two-year contract.

Financial terms were not disclosed, but the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reported the deal is worth $18 million.

Fielder, who was in his first year of eligibility for salary arbitration, filed a request of $8 million for 2009. The Brewers countered with an offer of $6 million.

The portly 24-year-old Fielder belted 34 home runs and drove in 102 runs while batting .276 last season.

Fielder has hit 112 of his 114 career homers in his last three seasons, averaging 158 games in each. In four seasons with Milwaukee, he has a .278 career batting average.