Fielder, Brewers settle at $15.5 million

Setting himself up for an even bigger payday a year from now, Prince Fielder agreed yesterday to a $15.5-million contract with the Milwaukee Brewers in the largest one-year deal for a player not yet eligible for free agency.

On a day when 67 of the 119 players who filed for salary arbitration reached agreements, AL MVP Josh Hamilton, major- league home run champion Jose Bautista and Astros pitcher Wandy Rodriguez submitted the largest proposed salaries when players and teams swapped proposed figures.

Hamilton asked Texas for $12 million and was offered $8.7 million; Bautista asked Toronto for $10.5 million and was offered $7.6 million; Rodriguez asked for $10.25 million and was offered $8 million.

Only 37 players exchanged with their clubs, and three already have agreements. Boston and closer Jonathan Papelbon settled at $12 million, a person familiar with the deal said. Texas agreed with lefthander C.J. Wilson at $7 million and outfielder Nelson Cruz at $2.65 million.

Those among the remaining 34 players who don't settle will have hearings before three-person panels in February. Owners won five of eight hearings last year, bringing their advantage to 285-210 since salary arbitration began in 1974.

Fielder topped Mark Teixeira's $12.5-million deal with Atlanta in 2008. Both are represented by agent Scott Boras.

"We're just focusing on this year," Brewers general manager Doug Melvin said. "It's the best thing for all parties involved, with him going into his free-agent year and us going into a year where we want to have a lot of success." Fielder hit .261 with 32 homers and 83 RBIs last season, when he made $11.25 million.

Meche retires

Gil Meche, whose five-year, $55-million contract as a free agent in 2007 signaled a change in fiscal policy for Kansas City, is retiring. Meche, who spent much of the last two seasons on the disabled list with an assortment of shoulder injuries, said the decision was the hardest of his life. He retires with an 84-83 record in 10 seasons . . . Detroit appears ready to part ways with Armando Galarraga. The Tigers designated Galarraga for assignment almost immediately after agreeing to a one-year, $2.3-million contract with him. Detroit also finalized its one-year deal with Brad Penny, bumping Galarraga from the rotation. Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski said the Tigers will try to trade Galarraga . . . Former Yankees outfielder Marcus Thames signed a one-year contract with the Dodgers. - AP