Where Will Free Agent Prince Fielder Land?

Former Milwaukee Brewers 1B Prince Fielder remains the top MLB Free Agent after Albert Pujols signed with the Angels last month. The 27-year old Fielder socked 230 HRs and posted a .282 average in his 6+ seasons with the Brewers. In 2011 he batted .299 with HRs and 120 RBIs helpin the Brewers cruise to an NL Central division crown and has played at least 157 games in all 6 full seasons of his career. Fielder signed a one-year contract with the Brewers worth $15.5 Million prior to the 2011 season but rejected a longer contract extension offer after the team extended NL MVP Ryan Braun in a deal worth $145 Million through the 2020 season. Fielder felt the team was more committed to Braun and elected to file for Free Agency following the conclusion of the season, a move which earned him the ire of the Brewers fan base.

While Fielder is considered to be the top remaining prize of the Free Agent class he has yet to be linked to serious contract talks with another team. The Texas Rangers, Chicago Cubs and Washington Nationals are the clubs expected to sign the slugger. The lastest reports saw Fielder meet with a number of high-ranking officials of the Rangers on Friday however team owner Nolan Ryan has reiterated that the talks were only preliminary in nature and it is unknown whether significant progress has been.

ESPN's Buster Olney has reported that the lefty slugger is seeking a 6-year deal worth between $22 and $24 Million a year with an opt-out clause after 3 years which has limited Fielder's suitors to the three teams mentioned above. It is remarkable that a player of Fielder's caliber has gone unsigned for so long and it will interesting to see how the market for him plays out over the coming days or weeks.