OT: Prince Fielder dealt to Texas for Ian Kinsler
November 21st, 2013 at 4:51 PM ^
November 20th, 2013 at 9:34 PM ^
I hope Kinsler can hit. The Tigers need to replace Princes RBI production. I guess this means Infante is out. That sucks, I really liked his game
November 20th, 2013 at 9:38 PM ^
November 20th, 2013 at 9:53 PM ^
November 20th, 2013 at 9:39 PM ^
November 20th, 2013 at 9:51 PM ^
Well they were going to pay $165M to Fielder over next 7 years. Now they pay $30M so saved $135M over 7 years.
November 21st, 2013 at 4:52 PM ^
November 20th, 2013 at 9:39 PM ^
November 20th, 2013 at 9:42 PM ^
November 20th, 2013 at 9:45 PM ^
November 20th, 2013 at 10:18 PM ^
November 20th, 2013 at 9:43 PM ^
November 21st, 2013 at 12:28 AM ^
November 20th, 2013 at 9:43 PM ^
November 20th, 2013 at 9:46 PM ^
He's worse defensively than Cabrera, they'd just keep Cabrera there.
November 20th, 2013 at 9:56 PM ^
What is the deal with Castellanos? I've heard some people say he's an Iglesias type defensive guy, and others say he's purely a bat and utility guy. Which is he?
November 20th, 2013 at 10:13 PM ^
He's been labeled "average" defensively by most scouts, and analysts. Take that with a grain of salt obviously, but anyone comparing him to an Iglesias level defender at 3rd has no idea what they're talking about.
November 21st, 2013 at 12:06 AM ^
Nobody who has ever seen Castellanos at 3B would consider comparing him to Iglesias defensively.
Here's a quote from an insider on another baord I post on in regards to Castellanos:
"Castellanos was considered a below-average defender at third base prior to his move to the outfield. There were a host of scouts, including myself, who questioned his long term potential at third base and projected him as a fringy defender there, at best. In all honesty, he would have been lucky to develop Miguel Cabrera's present ability at third base; and without the offensive potential of Cabrera, I'm not sure that's sufficient. To date, in all my conversations, I've not heard any discussion of Castellanos moving back to third base, or even the potential for considering such a move. He's an outfielder and barring a drastic shift in organizational philosophy with respect to Castellanos' development, he's going to remain an outfielder long term."
He projects to be below average at best defensively, with the liklihood being greater that his defense is too bad at the position for his offense to outweigh it.
His move to the OF demonstrates that. You simply don't move players down the defensive spectrum in the minor leagues if you think they are capable of playing that position in the MLs.
November 21st, 2013 at 12:31 AM ^
Sorry, that was a very unclear comparison. What I meant was that I've heard him as more of a defensive specialist without great hitting like Iglesias, not that he's a golden glover.
That scouting report, though, doesn't make him sound that great. Why is he such a hot commodity if he's so below average in the field and nothing special with a bat?
November 21st, 2013 at 12:49 AM ^
Nothing special with the bat? Who's feeding you these misguided reports? He literally is only known for his bat, he's progressed through the farm system quickly because he's raked at every level while also raising his BB rate and lowering is K%. His "hit" tool is said to be 60-70 on the point system which is a plus rating.
Ideally he'll come up and hit right away next year, but more likely he'll take some time to adjust to Major League pitching, that said he's a top 15 overall prospect for a reason, let's hope we see it.
November 21st, 2013 at 11:32 AM ^
Castellanos value is tied to his bat. Not sure who you're talking to, but they clearly are clueless. Castellanos was rated so highly at the draft because of his bat, he's valued as a top prospect because of his bat. He projects well as a hitter, unfortunately his defense projects poorly.
November 20th, 2013 at 9:47 PM ^
and his fat can fell rounding third in the playoffs this year? besides the stupidity of the decision to run that route, watching him fall was like watching a clumsy whale beach itself. fat, grossly overpaid and underperforming, always choking in the playoffs. exceptionally good move to overcome this contract that could've sunk the franchise.
November 20th, 2013 at 9:48 PM ^
His average is poor, but the Tigers will need a little more power now that Fielder is gone. Plus, he can take that third outfield spot.
November 20th, 2013 at 11:02 PM ^
Granderson appears to be in decline. His average, SLG, and OBP have all declined the past three seasons:
November 21st, 2013 at 12:49 AM ^
November 20th, 2013 at 9:58 PM ^
November 20th, 2013 at 10:03 PM ^
November 20th, 2013 at 10:04 PM ^
November 20th, 2013 at 10:06 PM ^
November 20th, 2013 at 11:35 PM ^
November 20th, 2013 at 11:42 PM ^
the best GM in detroit by a mile. Unlike Kenny Holland, he has guts and he is willing to rectify past mistakes and unlike Joe Dumars he is not an idiot. Mayhew doesn't even belong in the discussion until the Lions prove 2011 wasn't a fluke.
November 20th, 2013 at 11:51 PM ^
November 21st, 2013 at 12:27 AM ^
The same could be said for Holland since Illitch owns the Red Wings as well and he has been spending big since the early-90s.
I would give the nod to Dombrowski because he took over a dumpster fire of a franchise and rebuilt the minor leagues and the major league club. Holland took over a Cup winner and established the success over the years. Dombrowski helped change the culture while Holland maintained the status quo, thanks in large part to Illitch's money.
November 21st, 2013 at 12:47 AM ^
Holland now is limited by the salary cap, not an unlimited pizza wallet.
Considering the players they've drafted and brought up (and not traded) Holland's doing a great job.
November 21st, 2013 at 6:46 AM ^
November 21st, 2013 at 12:54 AM ^
like he had nothing to do with it—he helped build that 1997 team.
"After his playing career was over, Holland took a job with the Red Wings as a scout in Western Canada. He subsequently served seven years as Director of Amateur Scouting and three as Assistant General Manager. On July 18, 1997, he was promoted to his current position of General Manager..."
November 22nd, 2013 at 2:51 AM ^
November 21st, 2013 at 12:54 AM ^
like to know how much Fielder's post-playoff comments played into this. When I read them I was furious and I'm not in the organization.
We'll probably never know until Dombrowski writes a book.
November 21st, 2013 at 1:34 AM ^
had to be a slap in the face to Ilitch. He's trying to win a title before he leaves this earth and Fielder, his highest paid player, acts like he doesn't give a f*** after playing like Don Kelly all playoffs.
Personally I wanted the Tigers to ship Fielder out of town, but I didn't think it was possible. I don't know that this is a great deal, but I'll take it to be rid of that albatross of a contract.
November 21st, 2013 at 1:03 AM ^
I hope Texas doesn't come to its senses and reneg on the deal...that ridiculous contract Fielder got with the Tigers was going to be a financial anchor on the franchise, and getting rid of it—and Fielder—is a benefit in all kinds of ways.
In terms of what he produced—especially in clutch situations—relative to his salary, it's one of the worst contracts I've ever seen.
November 21st, 2013 at 2:55 AM ^
Once again DD comes through for the Tigers. Dealing Prince is the right thing to do. The Tigers recognize that his career is on a decline + his attitude in the post season was just awful. He did not give a s--t and that must have really disappointed Mr. Illitch.
Great move for the Tigs, frees up cash and also Miggy to first...nice.
November 21st, 2013 at 7:08 AM ^
Main reason Detroit signed him was due to V. Martinez's injury, so with V. Mart back makes sense that they deal him. The real question is what moves come with this as this seems to me like the first step in a specific plan to make changes for 2014.
November 21st, 2013 at 8:40 AM ^
November 21st, 2013 at 9:45 AM ^
...but with his difficult 2013 (divorce & playoff blunders) if he had anything less than an awesome 2014 (with some timely big hits) then the situation might have become toxic.
I don't think the post-game comments by themselves sunk Prince (anybody can be prone to sying weird shit at times like that) but there are rumours that some teammates & team officials were annoyed with his approach. In some respects, he was in a tough bind in Detroit. Some people think he didn't care but keep in mind that he was a young child who grew up with the Tigers and was personally signed by owner Illitch so it's likely that Prince cared about winning deeply. But how people deal with that kind of stress can be a funny thing. Some might burn with heart-on-their-sleeve passion...but that doesn't always work either. Prince tried to play it cool. Unfortunately, at the end of the day, it just didn't work out.
I suspect that Prince is probably quite happy for the new location and fresh start. With that ballpark in Texas he might put up some monster power numbers too.
November 21st, 2013 at 10:53 AM ^
November 21st, 2013 at 12:50 PM ^
It's an instant raise for Prince. Texas has no state income tax.
November 21st, 2013 at 9:52 AM ^
Among the other comments that already make sense; Texas eating contract, freeing up money to re-sign Max and hopefully Joe Nathan (please!!!), we can also go after a LF, move Cabby to 1B and save his body for an extra 3-4 years, bring up Nick C. to third, get speed at second (I think Kinsler has had two 30-30 years)...Prince is going through a divorce right now, had gained weight, and had 0 HR/RBI's in the postseason. I liked the guy, but that move makes too much sense for Dombrowski to not pull the trigger. Well done DD!!
November 21st, 2013 at 4:12 PM ^
The media and fans in Texas love it. Kinsler is declining, always injured, Fielder will hit better in their ballpark, allows them to bring up guys, puts them back into the playoffs, etc, etc.
So can a trade work out for both teams? Is someone kididng themselves? Or are both going to be disappointed?