The way the contracts and the current minor league system line up, 2012 appears to be the last season the Brewers can financially afford to compete. The Brewers just don't have the resources to outbid the market to keep a postseason-competitive team in tact past 2012. With that in mind, it doesn't exactly behoove the Brewers to sign Fielder past 2012. However, I think it would be interesting to see them throw an above-market, one-year offer at him to see what he says. If he's looking at 7/140 or so for his next contract, a one year deal north of $25 million (potentially closer to $30 million) may be enough to get him to at least engage in a conversation.
