On Tuesday, the Detroit Tigers shocked the world by signing free agent and former Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Prince Fielder to a lucrative nine year deal worth $214 million.

As rapper/producer, Kanye West, so eloquently put it, “And if they hate let ‘em hate. And watch the money pile up, the good life.”

It’s not uncommon-place to hear people say the Tigers made a ridiculous move, but here’s why Brewers fans should be happy for the guy who established himself as a franchise great in Milwaukee over the past seven years.

Those Milwaukee fans who thought Fielder should have stayed in Milwaukee for less money are just crazy. Not only did Fielder deserve top-notch free agent money, he earned every single penny of his $214 million dollar contract. Might I remind you of his career stats; .282 batting average, 230 home-runs, 656 runs batted in, .540 slugging percentage, .390 on-base percentage and 996 hits.

In his seven years with the team, Fielder helped create memories that will endure in Milwaukee for a long-time.

Ever since his rookie year in 2006, the guy has smashed balls out of Miller Park, including a franchise record 18 during that season. He followed his solid rookie season with a MLB-best 50 home-runs in the midst of a MVP-caliber season in 2007. Next, he became more of a complete player over the next four years by learning how to draw walks and boost his on-base percentage. Not only was he impressive on the offensive end, he became a mainstay at first-base, almost never missing a game during the long baseball season.

This all culminated with a 2011 season where Prince and MVP Ryan Braun helped lead the Brewers to their first division title in twenty five years. Fielder earned MVP honors at the All-Star game and finished third behind teammate Braun in the MVP voting at the end of the season.

Rumors swirled as no one was really sure where Fielder would end up. Everyone, including the Brewers, knew the guy was going to get paid, but no one was sure whether he would get that desired long-term deal. His agent Scott Boras came through in the clutch with Detroit.

The Tigers 82 year old owner, Mike Ilitch, is obviously all-in with this move because his roster is stacked. It contains power-hitters Maguel Cabrera and Fielder as well as MVP/Cy Young Winner Justin Verlander.

Unlike during most of his tenure in Milwaukee, Fielder can finally feel he has a team built for a World Series run. It’s also nice for Milwaukee that they won’t have to face Fielder with him playing in the American League.

The only thing that could bother Fielder with his new team are the obvious comparisons to his father Cecil Fielder who played the most of his career (1990-96) in Detroit. But, at the same time,  it could be a good thing because Fielder spent a great deal of his childhood in the Motor City.

For those many critics who believe Fielder is a great deal in the short-term, but a huge risk in the long-term are also crazy. Fielder has a great work ethic and has done nothing during his young career that would make you think he won’t continue to get better. He’s also a decent defender, even though he’s given no credit for his consistent play at first base.

I foresee Fielder making many more All-Star games, hitting a ton of home-runs and winning at least one MVP award during his career. I also expect the Tigers to win at least one World Series in the next couple of years.

As a Brewers fan, that’s all the more reasons to root for Fielder, someone who transformed from that really big kid to a beast of a man in the Milwaukee uniform.

Good luck to the Prince in Detroit!

What do you think of Prince Fielder’s deal with the Detroit Tigers? Do you see him having a successful career like I do? Let me know by commenting below!

Nick Grays is a senior writer at the Sports Bank where he covers the Wisconsin Badgers, Green Bay Packers, and Milwaukee Brewers. He also enjoys to share Fantasy Advice from time-to-time. Follow him on Twitter by clicking here or visit his blog Nick Knows Best.

The Detroit Tigers have agreed t0 terms with 3-time All-Star 1B Prince Fielder on a 9-year, $214 million deal (multiple reports via SportsCenter tweet)

So there you go- the Milwaukee Brewers will officially be Princeless this year. But you knew that already. The signs were obvious. And the Tigers are now the hands-down favorite in both the AL Central and the American League in general. In fact, they’re likely to be #1 in all spring training MLB power rankings now.

We’ll probably have another post on this soon.

At the annual Baseball Writers Association of America awards dinner in New York, the Milwaukee Brewers star outfielder Ryan Braun made his first public appearance since ESPN leaked his positive test for a banned substance back in December.

In his speech following the acceptance of the 2011 MVP Award, Braun thankfully didn’t give the award back as ESPN’s Buster Olney suggested earlier in the day, but he did provide some insight on his status through these troubling times.

“I’ve always believed that a person’s character is revealed through the way they deal with those moments of adversity,” said Braun.

Here are the rest of the quotes form the night via Brewers beat writer Tom Haudricourt and his twitter account:

“I’ve chosen in life to view every challenge I’ve ever faced as an opportunity and this will be no different.”

“I’ve always loved and had so much respect for the game of baseball. Everything I’ve done in my career has been done with that reaction in mind.”

“I want to take a moment to thank the players association for supporting me throughout my career and especially for supporting me through last couple months,” added Braun.

Many thought Braun would be booed, but that was not the case at all as he received a healthy applause. The audience also contained many members of the Brewers’ front office, including owner Mark Attanasio and his wife, general manger Doug Melvin and assistant Gord Ash among others.

Unfortunately, baseball fans will have to wait anywhere from a few days to a few weeks to find out the MLB’s ultimate decision on Braun’s positive test for a banned substance.

The arbitration hearing for Braun’s appeal took place this last Thursday and Friday, but there is a 25 day window when the verdict can be decided upon. A 50 game suspension is what looms for the superstar if the appeal is unsuccessful.

With free agent Prince Fielder for sure not returning and a lot of new players in the mix, the Brewers offense may have some trouble out of the gates if Braun is forced to sit the mandatory 50 games.

What did you think of what Ryan Braun had to say? Let me know by commenting below!

Nick Grays is a senior writer at the Sports Bank where he covers the Wisconsin Badgers, Green Bay Packers, and Milwaukee Brewers. He also enjoys to share Fantasy Advice from time-to-time. Follow him on Twitter by clicking here or visit his blog Nick Knows Best.

Pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training in a little more than a month and Prince Fielder still has not signed a free agent deal with any MLB team.  Some Milwaukee Brewers‘ fans are hoping that as long as teams drop out of the Fielder sweepstakes and he remains on the open market, there is a glimmer of hope that he might return to Milwaukee even if it is just for a one-year deal.  However, Brewers general manager Doug Melvin said Monday night that Fielder will not be a Brewer next season and that the team is still awaiting word on Ryan Braun‘s suspension.

“I don’t see how where we can do that,” Melvin said of possibly re-signing Prince this late in the off-season.  “We’ve had to move on.  We wouldn’t have been able to wait this long to try and put the team together.  There were too many opportunities to get other players like Aramis Ramirez for example, or Frankie Rodriguez coming back and accepting our arbitration proposal.  We had to move on, other players’ salaries were increased.  We’re well beyond where our budget was supposed to be in November.  We’ve already had to re-adjust our budget so I don’t see that opportunity.”

Melvin did admit that he was surprised that Prince has yet to ink a contract yet.  “I just think it might not be the best year.  Sometimes there’s good years to go out as free agents, sometimes maybe not as good of years.  He’s a very talented player.  He did wonders for our organization and the city.  I’m sure he’ll get signed somewhere and get the opportunity to help that franchise take it to the next level.”

Melvin also mentioned the possibility that Corey Hart could see some time at first base to fill in for Mat Gamel who is expected to replace Prince.

Fielder might not be the only big bat in the Brewers’ line-up next season.  Ryan Braun is awaiting his trial after being suspended 50 games by Major League Baseball for testing positive for a banned performance enhancing drug.  Melvin remains in limbo about the situation but says the team will be prepared if Braun’s suspension is upheld.

“We really don’t know much about it,” Melvin stated.  “The first time I heard about it, I was driving from Chicago and got a phone call that ESPN had breaking news.  I was completely shocked and totally caught blindsided with it. We just have to wait and see.  I don’t think anybody can be found guilty until the hearing and I’m not sure the date of that either.  In the meantime, you have to be prepared in case that happens and I guess at that point, you treat it like a player who’s injured for so many days.”

In what has become a bizarre beginning to the Milwaukee Brewers’ off-season, the notion continues with a $2.5 million bid to win the rights to Japanese Outfielder Norichika Aoki.

Aoki is one of the best hitters in Japan and has posted a .336 career batting average during his first seven seasons.

If the Brewers can strike a deal in the next 30 days, he will join a crowded outfield consisting of Ryan Braun, Corey Hart and Nyjer Morgan. With a deal like this, you can’t happened but wonder whether Braun really will miss 50 games or if a trade involving Hart or Morgan is in the works.
Last season, Aoki put up a .292/.358/.360 split which was a considerable slump from his 2010 numbers (.358/.435/.509). Nonetheless, he’s still considered one of the best pure hitters overseas and some have went as far to compare him to the great Ichiro.

He’s not a great defender and does not have a great throwing arm. That would most likely put him in left field, the spot where Braun reigns supreme right now. With Braun involved in a full blown investigation regarding his positive test for a banned substance, can you really blame the team for exploring their options?

The signing of Aramis Ramirez to a three-year deal all but confirmed that Prince Fielder won’t be back in Milwaukee in the near future. With that said, the Brewers have to be looking to make up some production, especially if Braun has to sit out a lengthy suspension.

While Brewers GM Doug Melvin wouldn’t admit it, a move like this has to suggest the Brewers feel Braun will ultimately be suspended for his positive test for a banned substance.

What do you think about the chasing of outfielder Norichika Aoki? Do you think the Brewers truly feel Ryan Braun will be suspended for his positive test for a banned substance? Let me know by commenting below!

Nick Grays is a senior writer at the Sports Bank where he covers the Wisconsin Badgers, Green Bay Packers, and Milwaukee Brewers. He also enjoys to share Fantasy Advice from time-to-time. Follow him on Twitter by clicking here or visit his blog Nick Knows Best.

The biggest story of this past sports weekend was the Milwaukee Brewers’ Ryan Braun testing positive for performance enhancing drugs.  The NL MVP vehemently denies he took the PEDs but he already seems convicted in the court of public opinion. Given what MLB was from 1994-2009 you can understand why new speculation about steroid use is at an all-time high.

That said, users at the sports site GR88.com conducted a poll results and the results follow. I made my commentary in parentheses.

GR88.com User Poll:  Which pro athlete will test positive for P.E.Ds next?

(1)     Tiger Woods:  22% (I just don’t see it. Golf and steroids? You gotta be kidding me)

(2)     Albert Pujols:  22% (This has to be the favorite, it’s reasonable to be skeptical of anyone in baseball, especially those with the biggest numbers)

(3)     Sydney Crosby:  8% (How much does he have left now with the concussion issues? Will he be able to play much longer without serious long term consequences? This seems like kicking when he’s down)

(4)     Manny Pacquiao:  12%  (He’s too small! But seriously, Pac-man has made so many questionable public comments on so many issues, I have to question his judgment and decision making ability, he’s fair game)

(5)     Ray Lewis:  14% (Uhm, yeah- why isn’t this number higher?)

(6)     Alex Ovechkin:  10% (I wouldn’t think so, but I get why others would)

(7)     Aaron Rodgers:  6% (Anything is possible, and no + test would shock me, but I don’t see it. This is only because he’s very successful and popular. Everyone speculates about him being gay, I guess they have to speculate about him taking ‘roids now too?

(8)     Tim Tebow:  6% (HAHAHAHHAHAHA. No way. Then again…Remember the ultra-Christian warden character in “The Shawshank Redemption?”)

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There is no doubt that ESPN has become the #1 outlet for sports news in the world. With their coverage in over 200 countries and across multiple forms of media on a 24/7 timescale, they have become the all-knowing power when it comes to sports or we thought so.

Over the last couple of weeks, the “Worldwide Leader in Sports,” has published a few stories that questions whether they truly have a neutral standpoint. In what I like to call the twitter-age, it’s all about being first to the story and ESPN is full-heartedly playing in to that notion, even if they don’t have all of the facts.

By not reporting all of the facts, ESPN is jumping to conclusions and in essence fabricating how we perceive the world of sports.

A good friend said it best, we want ESPN to report our sporting news, not make it.
For those of you who think I’m a bitter Brewers fan who stands behind Ryan Braun, that is not the case. While I do feel he deserves to be considered innocent until proven guilty, I’ve already expressed my opinion if he is truly a user of PED’s.

My issue in this article lays with solely with ESPN. We don’t have to go back far to find another story that the network prematurely reported without having all of the facts. Remember the Chris Paul trade.

ESPN had reported the Chris Paul trade to basically be completed, even though commissioner David Stern had yet to decide on the trade. The network has become famous for using the “according to sources,” even though most of their sources are their own. They won’t always admit that though.

In addition to the travesty known as ESPN’s Breaking News, I’m also troubled by the framing that ESPN has appeared to take part in on the Braun case. Was it really necessary to report Braun’s comments on Alex Rodriguez’s 2003 steroids case? It doesn’t exactly seem relevant unless you wan’t to leave the impression that you feel that Braun is lying about these allegations or that he is being hypocritical to a similar situation with himself. In place of those quotes should have been more emphasis on Braun’s defense and what kind of evidence they think they have.

ESPN has a massive audience and the best writers in the world, I just wish they could use their immense resources to abide by the rules of journalism and report real news, not deceive America by reporting half of a story.

How do you feel about ESPN’s coverage of the Ryan Braun fiasco? Do you think they are holding back facts and emphasizing others like I have mentioned? I feel they’ve been doing this for some time, have any of your favorite athletes been affected? Let me know by commenting below!

Nick Grays is a senior writer at the Sports Bank where he covers the Wisconsin Badgers, Green Bay Packers, and Milwaukee Brewers. He also enjoys to share Fantasy Advice from time-to-time. Follow him on Twitter by clicking here or visit his blog Nick Knows Best.

In a report issued by ESPN’s “Outside the Lines”, the National League MVP and Milwaukee Brewers all-star left-fielder, Ryan Braun, has tested positive for performance enhancing drugs (PED’s).

Braun is disputing the result through arbitration and if he is to lose, he will face a 50 game suspension to start the 2012 season.

I’m not here to jump to conclusions, but if Braun’s legal team fails to account for the positive test, this will most definitely have a detrimental effect on his legacy and forever taint what appeared to be a hall-of-fame bound career.
Let’s start off by saying there is no way Braun’s MVP award should be taken away. Baseball has not done this in the past and I can’t really see them making a case for it in this specific situation. If Barry Bonds can hold onto the all-time home-run record and Roger Clemens his seven Cy Young awards, a precedent should not be made for this award to be stripped.

However, to fans in Milwaukee, the MVP award should be the least of their worries. Instead, their superstar who appeared to be a member of the new generation of “pure” baseball players could be no better than the last generation of players who used performance enhancing drugs to be among the best in the MLB.

Not only do fans have to deal with that, but also that Braun is in the midst of his record $150 million deal which keeps him in Milwaukee through 2020. I’m all about giving players second chances, but not when it comes to taking drugs in order to be better than your opponents.

I wouldn’t be surprised to see Wisconsin fans rally around the guy, but I’m not sure that’s the appropriate response. He should be treated the same as Bonds, Clemens, Mark McGwire, Manny Ramirez, Alex Rodriguez, ect…

Lost in this entire story is the best free agent currently on the market, first-baseman Prince Fielder. I can’t help but feel sorry for a guy who was probably under-appreciated during his time in Milwaukee while always being second to Braun in potential and value. Yeah, he’s going to get paid somewhere and he doesn’t really need any pity, but maybe he’s the guy Milwaukee should have been throwing the money at for a long-term deal.

Now, let’s say the test was “BS,” as some have suggested. In that case, I think MLB and ESPN should both take huge hits. Time and time again, ESPN has jumped the gun and caused a story to balloon in to more than it had to be (for instance, Brett Favre anyone?).

No matter the result, Major League Baseball needs to get their act together because PED’s and steroids are ruining their sport. Yes, the NFL, NBA and any other major league have their issues with these kind of things, but it’s not the supposed faces of the league who are on the chopping block.

What effect do you think this will have on Ryan Braun’s career? Is it a travesty or a tragedy? Let me know by commenting below!

Nick Grays is a senior writer at the Sports Bank where he covers the Wisconsin Badgers, Green Bay Packers, and Milwaukee Brewers. He also enjoys to share Fantasy Advice from time-to-time. Follow him on Twitter by clicking here or visit his blog Nick Knows Best.

Normally Saturday nights are placid when it comes to off-field news in the sports world, but the regularly scheduled calm was interrupted in a big way when ESPN, among several other outlets, reported that Milwaukee Brewers OF Ryan Braun had tested positive for performance enhancing drugs. The slugger is coming off a season that saw him hit 33 HR’s and drive in 111 RBI en route to an NL MVP Award, as well as leading Milwaukee to their first division title since 1982. The positive test, if upheld, would mean that Braun would be suspended for the first 50 games of the 2012 season.

Obviously, Braun’s reputation will be damaged in a big way if the positive test is upheld (and no appeal of a test result has ever been successful in the time that MLB has had their current steroid policy), but the bigger question being raised by baseball fans and pundits alike is whether or not a positive test should cost Braun his MVP award. There really is no precedent for this type of occurrence in the baseball world, so the Baseball Writer’s Association of America (BBWAA) will have a true dilemma on their hands.

Truthfully, there is only one right answer for the BBWAA to consider, and that is to hold a re-vote on the award. If the test result is upheld, there is no reason that Braun should get to hold on to the trophy without having to re-earn it in the eyes of voters with these latest developments. It would also be inappropriate for the Association to simply give the trophy to the second place finisher, who happened to be Los Angeles Dodgers OF Matt Kemp.

Kemp, who according to various observers should have won the award in the first place, had a better statistical season than Braun, hitting 39 HR, driving in 126 RBI, and batting .324, which were all in the top three in the National League. These numbers all make him a viable candidate, but even still, a re-vote would be the correct way to go.

Even though there is no precedent in baseball for this type of thing, the NFL did have a similar situation occur in 2010, when Houston Texans LB Brian Cushing violated the league’s substance abuse policy. As in Braun’s case, Cushing had won a major award for his play in the previous campaign, winning the AP’s Defensive Rookie of the Year award. In his situation, the AP re-voted, and Cushing was given back the award. His status as a second-team All-Pro was rescinded, however.

A similar fate should await Braun, but would he maintain his MVP Award in a re-vote? The answer to that question is likely no. With the taint of steroids still hanging like a cloud over the game, the BBWAA isn’t going to take a positive test like this sitting down, so they will probably flock in droves over to the candidacy of Kemp. The slugger nearly won the Triple Crown for the Dodgers, a feat that hasn’t been accomplished in baseball since Carl Yastrzemski did it in 1967, so that should be argument enough for him to win a re-vote.

Buster Olney of the Worldwide Leader said it best in his piece on the subject when he talked about the renaissance that has occurred in baseball in recent months. With labor strife averted and a great finish to the regular season, things really have been looking up for MLB, but Braun’s PED bust has the potential to put a huge damper on things. If this test is upheld, the story will be a defining moment for a league that thought it had shed its steroid image once and for all.

After a Winter Meetings marked by big time free agent signings, things took a turn back toward baseball’s not so distant past on Saturday evening. According to reports by multiple outlets, including ESPN.com’s Outside the Lines, Milwaukee Brewers OF Ryan Braun, the 2011 NL MVP, has tested positive for performance enhancing drugs. If the initial test is upheld, the slugger will be suspended for the first 50 games of the regular season under MLB’s steroid policy.

According to the report by ESPN, the positive test was triggered by an abnormal ratio of testosterone and epitestosterone, which normally coexist at a 1:1 ratio inside the human body. Anything about a 4:1 ratio triggers a positive test, and according to the report, Braun’s did, but it did not reveal by how much.

In addition, MLB sent the sample to the World Anti-Doping Agency lab in Montreal to confirm their findings, and the lab found that the testosterone was not generated by Braun’s body.

The test results have not been made public yet by MLB because Braun is appealing the test through an arbitrator. A positive test has never been appealed successfully since the league undertook the new testing procedures in recent years, so precedent does not favor the Brewers’ star in this instance.

Braun has denied that he knowingly took any PED’s, and his spokesman did issue a statement in response to reports:

“There are highly unusual circumstances surrounding this case which will support Ryan’s complete innocence and demonstrate there was absolutely no intentional violation of the program. While Ryan has impeccable character and no previous history, unfortunately, because of the process we have to maintain confidentiality and are not able to discuss it any further, but we are confident he will ultimately be exonerated.”

Braun hit 33 home runs and drove in 111 RBI for the Brewers a season ago, leading them to their first division title since 1982.