MILWAUKEE -- Prince Fielder and the Milwaukee Brewers started off what's likely to be their final year together with a record.

Fielder and the club avoided salary arbitration Tuesday by agreeing to a $15.5 million, one-year contract. The deal is the highest-single season contract for an arbitration-eligible player, surpassing Mark Teixeira's $12.5 million agreement with Atlanta in 2008.

The club's prospects to keep Fielder in Milwaukee past the upcoming season are slim. Fielder is represented by agent Scott Boras and can become a free agent following the World Series.

"We're just focusing on this year," Brewers general manager Doug Melvin said during an interview with The Associated Press. "It's the best thing for all parties involved, with him going into his free agent year and us going into a year where we want to have a lot of success."

Fielder hit .261 with 32 homers and 83 RBIs last season, when he made $11.25 million. It was the lowest batting average in his big league career.

"We're pleased with the deal, where it's at, and he obviously is, too, to get it done. It was only natural he would pass Teixeira," Melvin said. "He can focus on spring training, preparing for spring training and having a big year."

The 26-year-old slugger is expected to be one of the top free agent hitters available in November and has been the biggest force in a potent offense with an impressive list of accolades.

Fielder became the youngest player to hit 50 home runs, accomplishing the feat at age 23 in 2007. In 2009, he won the Home Run Derby at the All-Star break and finished with a .299 average and 46 homers, tying Philadelphia's Ryan Howard with a big league-best 141 RBIs.

"We took into consideration his previous years -- the 50 homers, the 46 homers. I know last year he had a little bit of a decline, but I expect him to bounce back," Melvin said. "We feel he's ready to bounce back and have a big year."