It doesn't bother me that he said it, but this seems like something that didn't need to come out right now. The whole team is not hitting right now, and on a cold streak as far as wins and losses. Wrong time to put this out to the fans, in my view. Most of us "die hards" knew there is basically a 0% chance he returns next year, but I'm sure a good portion of the more casual fans were holding out some hope. This isn't going to make Fielder look good in their view.