We're two players away from being the Pittsburgh Pirates

In 2001, PNC Park and Miller Park both opened for their current tenants the Pirates and the Brewers.

The additional similarities between these two organizations are seemingly endless:

Both play in undersized big league markets
Both had ownership changes since their stadiums opened
Both have hosted an All-Star Game this decade
Both even have 7th inning mascot races (sausages and pierogis)
and both play in the NL Central, so they have to visit Wrigley Field and their annoying Cub fans 3 times a year.

But there is one huge difference, the Brewers are recent winners, and the Pirates, well---continue to suck.

If you're not a fantasy nut, can you name one guy on the Pirates?

Take a look at this article detailing 20 years of losing in Pittsburgh:

http://proxy.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/story?columnist=bryant_howard&id=4452642

It talks about the Pirates last winning season in 1992, and how it was also the last season they also had star OF Barry Bonds. When Bonds left to swat hundreds of homers and alienate millions with the Giants, the Pirates began their parade of losing.

17 years later, the Brewers have a similar decision regarding Prince Fielder, who is eligible to sign with any team after the 2011 season. And they must do everything possible to sign a premier slugger like Fielder to a long-term deal.

To the Brewers credit, they have already locked up OF Ryan Braun and his sweet swing for seven more years.

Now onto Fielder, who even when he's bad, Fielder still drives in over 100 reasons. When he's good (like this year) he either knocks in 125 + runs (ahead of Albert Pujols) or hits 50 homers.

Yes, Prince is a big guy---and his glove is average at best. But as truly spectacular players in a competitive league, Fielder and Braun are the main reasons why the Brewers are relevant again, and must be retained at all cost, even if the pitching is a little shaky for a while. Plus if he's the architect behind this recent walk-off home run celebration, the Crew will be a SportsCenter regular for years to come http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdrzyKg3UdM

However, if Fielder is allowed to walk or is traded, with all their similarities already, Joe Fan may no longer be able to tell the difference between the Pirates and Brewers.