MILWAUKEE — First baseman Prince Fielder and the Brewers reached a preliminary agreement Thursday on an $18 million, two-year contract.
The agreement is subject to a physical, Brewers general manager Doug Melvin said.
Milwaukee renewed Fielder’s contract last year for $670,000, and Fielder was eligible for arbitration for the first time. He asked for $8 million and the Brewers offered $6 million when figures were exchanged Tuesday.
In 2007, Fielder, 24, became the youngest player to hit 50 home runs, and he batted .288 with 119 RBIs. He had 34 homers and 102 RBIs last season.
Glaus out after surgery
ST. LOUIS — Cardinals third baseman Troy Glaus will be sidelined for about three months after arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder.
Glaus, who hit .270 with 27 homers and 99 RBIs last season, likely will miss the Cardinals’ season opener April 6.
Ricketts winning Cubs bidder
CHICAGO — The billionaire Ricketts family has been selected by Tribune Co. as the winning bidder for the Cubs. The bid is worth about $900 million. The sale would include Wrigley Field and a 25 percent interest in a regional sports network.
Ricketts must reach an agreement with Tribune Co., which filed for bankruptcy protection last month. While the Cubs and Wrigley Field were not included in the bankruptcy filing, a sale likely will have to be approved by the creditors’ committee.
In addition, a sale must be approved by baseball owners.
Footnotes.
Bill Werber, who was the oldest living former major-leaguer and a teammate of Babe Ruth, died in Charlotte, N.C. He was 100.
• Catcher Gregg Zaun finalized a $2 million, one-year contract with the Orioles.
• Infielder Alex Cora and the Mets finalized a $2 million, one-year deal.The Associated Press
