MLB Free Agents 2012: Brewers 1B Prince Fielder Will Have No Shortage of Suitors

Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Prince Fielder and his teammates fell short of their ultimate goal on Sunday night, losing to the St. Louis Cardinals in the National League Championship Series. Fielder is a free agent this winter and may have just played his final game in a Brewers uniform.

Fielder was choked up in the locker room afterward (via Yahoo! Sports):

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"I had to clear the throat once, but it was all right," Fielder said. "I love these guys. I've been playing with most of them since I was 18. So, this organization has been great to me. Yeah, man. It's just been good. It's been real."

"It's been real." Fielder later clarified that he meant he was feeling emotional about this season being over—not necessarily his career with the Brewers.

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Fielder has become one of MLB's premier power threats and will have no shortage of teams knocking at his door with long-term proposals. The hefty slugger has hit at least 28 home runs every season since 2006, including 38 en route to the playoffs this season.

In all, it was a banner year for Fielder. Aside from the aesthetic pleasures of his basic statistics, he also illustrated his durability by playing in all 162 games (hasn't missed more than five games in six years) and improved his play in the field, as well.

He was the complete package this season, right in time to hit the free agent waters during the winter. To their credit, the Brewers said they will be active participants in the bidding for as long as their budget will allow.

They'll be far from alone, however. The Chicago Cubs and new general manager Theo Epstein will likely be heavily involved with Carlos Pena set to depart after signing a one-year deal. It will take a lot more than that to secure Fielder.

At 27, Fielder should be entering his prime as scary as that may seem to opposing pitchers. He definitely showed maturation at the plate this season, lowering his walk rate to a career-low 15 percent, which was lower than his strikeout rate for the first time.

Other teams that will be involved could include the Washington Nationals, Baltimore Orioles, Los Angeles Dodgers and Texas Rangers. Don't completely count out the New York Yankees if the team's attempts to chase starting pitching fails to yield results.

Wherever he lands, Fielder will be very well compensated for his home-run hitting services.