salary arbitration

Prince Fielder and the Milwaukee Brewers started off what's likely to be their final year together with a record.

Fielder and the club avoided salary arbitration Tuesday by agreeing to a $15.5 million, one-year contract. The deal is the highest-single season contract for an arbitration-eligible player, surpassing Mark Teixeira's $12.5 million agreement with Atlanta in 2008.

This is yet another major strike against Dave Dombrowski, General Manager of the Detroit Tigers. He has let the Tigers' starting second baseman, and 2009 Gold Glove Winner, leave town without even offering him a contract or salary arbitration.

This leaves a huge hole in the middle of the Tigers defensive infield, and a hole at their #2 lineup spot.

The Tigers were afraid that Polanco wanted 8 million dollars a year plus, but signed with the Phillies for far less and to serve as their everyday third baseman.