OT: Prince Fielder dealt to Texas for Ian Kinsler

Submitted by ixcuincle on
@JonHeymanCBS 8:16 PM
Fielder for Kinsler trade has been agreed to. cbsprt.co/1iw8Bno
 
I don't understand why this happened. I thought Fielder was doing a good job in Detroit. What are Tigers fans thoughts on this deal. 

NOLA Wolverine

November 20th, 2013 at 8:27 PM ^

I like that the story on CBS says "we havent confirmed any contract details or talked to anyone involved, but we learned that it's happening." Great to get rid of that contract and keep Scherzer on going forward. 

LSAClassOf2000

November 20th, 2013 at 8:42 PM ^

Supposedly, Fielder's contract had a limited no-trade clause which named the Rangers, but from the sound of things right now, that doesn't appear to be an issue. I believe the Rangers were in the running for him when Detroit came to him with a few wheelbarrows full of cash two years ago as well. There's also a rumor that it might involve another player, but no information on who that might be. 

James Burrill Angell

November 20th, 2013 at 10:19 PM ^

But it makes sense.

1) Kinsler takes over 2nd, Tigers don't have to re-sign Omar Infante or find a 2nd baseman in free agency
2) Frees up money to re-sign Max Scherzer
3) Miggy moves back to first leaving 3rd open for Nick Castellanos to move up to Detroit
4) Kinsler can lead off freeing Austin Jackson. To move back in the lineup.
5) leaves Tigers money to go bring in an outfielder and some bullpen help in free agency if they want to.

They will need to find a power bat to protect Miggy, maybe that will be who slots into the open left field spot.

Jehu the Damaja

November 21st, 2013 at 1:05 AM ^

All good points. I just figured the Tigers would maybe get a couple prospects out of it. I know Prince hasn't lived up to the monster deal he got, but moving Miggy back to first and letting Castellanos play every day at 3rd sounds like a win. Along with freeing up a ton of cap space to get some bullpen help and an outfielder.

lilpenny1316

November 20th, 2013 at 11:16 PM ^

Below average defense, not a great base runner and had an OPS barely better than Don Kelly for most of the season.  This was a contract that most baseball people said would be an issue once his play starts to decline. 

By offloading that big contract, they can keep their Cy Young winner, and get a better corner outfielder than Andy Dirks.  Personally, I'd go after Ellsbury and stick him in left field and have him bat leadoff.  Probably wishful thinking, but it's something I'd look into.

alum96

November 20th, 2013 at 8:31 PM ^

Geez gotta be fast around these parts, was just going to post it, too slow by 3 minutes.

 

I say thank you rangers.  It will be interesting to see how much salary Detroit has to eat. Kinsler makes 13M.   We need playoff performers and this moves Cabrera back to first I think (or V Martinez can go there) which helps in NL parks as we can play a normal catche.

robbyt003

November 20th, 2013 at 8:29 PM ^

THis would be HUGE for the Tigers.  Fielders numbers have been declining each year, we could resign Scherzer, move Cabby to first base, and play Castellanos at his natural position at third.  Would improve our defense dramatically.  

denardogasm

November 20th, 2013 at 8:35 PM ^

Defense was never really the issue though.  It gets blown way out of proportion because people always assumed it would be bad with Cabby and Prince in the same infield but Cabrera was actually very good at third until he got injured.  Plus, with the amount of strikeouts our rotation gets the defense doesn't have to be stellar anyway.  The issue is the streaky offense, and the fact that they frustratingly always seem to go cold as a team rather than one at a time.  This will improve the defense, but not dramatically.  The biggest thing we gain from this is resigning Scherzer.

mackbru

November 20th, 2013 at 8:59 PM ^

I think you're overestimating the "quality" of the Tigers' defense with Prince and Miggy at the corners. That Miggy was better than expected does not mean he was good. His range was quite limited. And Prince's was worse. The Tigers had one of the most porous infields in baseball. Now that issue is largely rectified. And defense matters a lot. With our starting pitching, plus a greatly improved infield, opposing teams are gonna have a hell of a time scoring.

lilpenny1316

November 20th, 2013 at 11:19 PM ^

That lazy ass effort he made in the ninth inning of Game 2 for Iglesias' low throw was enough for me.  He looked disinterested.  He did go through a divorce, so I'm sure that had an effect, but I mean he started out the season fine.  Then he just because pretty average, definitely not worth the money he's making.

denardogasm

November 20th, 2013 at 8:30 PM ^

I did not see this coming. Not sure how I feel about it.  I think Fielder just had a down year and will be back.  If it turns out he never regains his Brewer form though this will go down as one of the best Tiger moves I can remember.

alum96

November 20th, 2013 at 8:33 PM ^

There is no downside ... the deal is egregious.  Only a guy like Cabrera should get the contract Fielder got.  Ilitch negotiated against himself, there is probably $6M a year extra every year  in that contract versus what Fielder would have received in the open market.

Jehu the Damaja

November 21st, 2013 at 8:38 AM ^

He's gonna hate July and August down here. It's brutal even for a scrawny dude like me with barely any fat, I can't imagine what it's like being his size and playing in that heat. Although, he'll fit right in with the mass amounts of fatties populating this state.

alum96

November 20th, 2013 at 8:43 PM ^

LOL.  Noone is saying Kinsler is a better player.  Fielder has $168M owed over next 7 years.  Kinsler is signed through 2017 with a front loaded contract it appears so he will begin to drop fromthe $13M go forward from here.  (total was 5yr $75M with an option for 6th)

denardogasm

November 20th, 2013 at 8:45 PM ^

What does this do to Infante?  He was one of our strongest pieces and a key guy to have towards the bottom of the order because he never strikes out.  I was really happy when we reacquired him.

Also Fielder offered some vital protection for Miggy in the lineup.  VMart can provide that but the middle of the order looks a lot less scary now.