Report: Prince Fielder signs big deal

MILWAUKEE, Jan. 22 (UPI) -- The Milwaukee Brewers signed slugger Prince Fielder to a two-year contract, the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reported late Thursday afternoon.

The newspaper's report said Fielder will be paid $18 million and that the deal depends on Fielder passing a physical.

It helps the Brewers avoid salary arbitration.

"I would say there is a good possibility we could have an announcement (Friday)," general manger Doug Melvin told MLB.com.

Fielder, 24, earned $670,000 last season in his third full season in the major leagues, but had asked for $8 million when the arbitration process started earlier this week.

The burly first baseman hit 34 homers with 102 RBI, while helping Milwaukee earn the National League wild card berth after finishing second to the Chicago Cubs in the NL Central Division.

He became a full-time major leaguer in 2006, and in 2007 hammered 50 homers with 119 RBI and finished third in National League MVP balloting.