 Yahoo sports is reporting Mark Attanasio is dissatisfied with the economics of the game he bought into five years ago, in spite of the fact his franchise’s value has probably doubled since. And while his complaints – subsequently slapped down by Yankees president Randy Levine – might seem disingenuous, perhaps they should be viewed as a service to his loyal customers.
This way, it will be less of a shock to Brewers fans when Prince Fielder shows up in a couple years as the first baseman for the Cubs.
Attanasio has done wonderful work as owner of the mid-market Brewers, who are relevant again, both in the standings and at the gate. They were in the postseason a couple seasons ago for the first time in forever and have drawn 3 million in each of the past two seasons. The Brewers’ payroll the season before Attanasio arrived was $27.5 million. It’s been about triple that in the past two years.
At the risk of flogging opening week with too much money chatter – hey, Attanasio started it – let’s consider the reasons the Brewers under Attanasio have progressed to where they are.
Prince Fielder.
Ryan Braun.
Braun was kind enough to agree to an eight-year, $45 million contract, the final season of which will pay him $12 million in 2015.
Fielder is due to be a free agent after 2011. He’ll be 27. By then he could have 250 home runs and 700 RBIs. He’ll be entering his prime. The potential first-base market that offseason: Fielder, Ryan Howard, Albert Pujols, Adrian Gonzalez. All but Fielder will be in their 30s.
The specter of free agency started this, of course. Negotiations on an extension for Fielder aren’t exactly running downhill, which has clearly frustrated Attanasio, who told USA Today this week, “We’re struggling to sign Prince Fielder, and the Yankees’ infield is making more than our team.”
Levine countered for ESPNNewYork, accusing Attanasio of whining and wondering where all the revenue-sharing money has gone in Milwaukee and places like it.
Fielder’s agent, Scott Boras, doesn’t often subject his high-end clients to contract extensions, not with free agency so near, but he has met with Attanasio.
Not willing to referee an Attanasio-Levine slap fight, Boras’ only observation on the matter Wednesday was this: “Prince Fielder is a franchise player. As I’ve said all along, franchise players pay for themselves. Three million fans in Milwaukee is historic. When they bought the franchise the team was drawing 2 million. It’s a good example of what sluggers – including Ryan Braun – can mean to a franchise at the gate.”
To read more..
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=AhK0BN33FzxB3N8uYnb6aNYRvLYF?slug=ti-brewers040710
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