PHOENIX — The message from Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Prince Fielder on Sunday was as clear as the day was bright, but the words forecast that stormy days may be brewing.

"My time will come," Fielder said, "and it's coming quick, too."

Fielder's statement came to reporters in reaction to the Brewers' announcement that the team had renewed his one-year deal, as is its right, for a salary of $670,000 — a $255,000 raise from last season.

Apparently, Fielder was saving his discontent for reporters because Brewers general manager Doug Melvin said Fielder "didn't indicate that to us" when the team talked to Fielder, as well as left fielder Ryan Braun and right fielder Corey Hart, who also had their contracts renewed.

But Melvin's analysis didn't differ all that much from Fielder's in one respect.

"Prince is going to make a lot of money in this game," he said.

Fielder's reaction to his second straight renewal came as somewhat of a surprise because last season he shrugged off his contract renewal as no big deal. He also is considered such a team-oriented player that he rarely lets off-field matters become a subject of interest.

However, after hitting 50 home runs, driving in 119 runs and finishing third in the National League MVP voting in his second full season, Fielder apparently believes he deserved a higher salary.

Fielder's discontent also poses the scenario of a contentious arbitration situation next offseason after Fielder completes his third season. Melvin, though, disputed that.

"I don't think renewal has any effect on arbitration," Melvin said.

Fielder is represented by agent Scott Boras, whose hard-edged style is well documented around the game.

"There are a lot of guys who have played the same time I have who are making a lot more and I'm making a lot less," Fielder said.

Melvin, however, said he was unable to think of any player entering his third season under Fielder's contract situation this year who is making more.

He noted that Florida shortstop Hanley Ramirez, who won the 2006 NL Rookie of the Year award, was paid less last season than Fielder, who finished well down in the voting for that honor.

Ryan Howard, the Philadelphia Phillies first baseman often compared to Fielder, made $900,000 last season in his third season, one that came after winning the MVP award in 2006. Howard recently won an arbitration hearing that gave him a $10 million salary for this season.

"One thing about our system, it doesn't matter what other guys make," Melvin said.

Teams are allowed to renew a player's contract with as much as a 20 percent cut from the prior season's salary, but the Brewers' system does not allow for pay cuts.

Assistant general manager Gord Ash said the Brewers' salary system was rated 12th out of the 30 teams in salaries paid to players from rookie to third-year status. The Brewers' formula takes into account plate appearances and awards won for bonus purposes.

"Our system is a fair system if you look at it compared to anybody else's system," Melvin said.

Fielder acknowledged the Brewers did what they felt they needed to do — but that still was little consolation.

"I'm not thinking about the future, because I have to play baseball now," Fielder said. "I'm done with the contract stuff."

But it's a cloud that could hang over the Brewers this season. Melvin has expressed an interest in working out long-term deals for some of the team's younger standouts, such as Fielder and shortstop J.J. Hardy.

"I hope it doesn't," Melvin said when asked if Fielder's reaction Sunday could influence those long-term contract discussions.