In what is undoubtedly the surprise of the young MLB offseason, Tigers first baseman Prince Fielder and his $214 million contract have been shipped to Texas.
With extensions needed for back-to-back AL MVP Miguel Cabrera and 2013 AL Cy Young winner Max Scherzer in the next two years, the Tigers are given some financial flexibility with the deal.
They’re also given a pretty good player in return.
Rangers second baseman Ian Kinsler, still just 31 and a three-time All-Star, will be welcomed with open arms in Detroit, as he fills a massive hole in the middle infield.
Kinsler’s contract is sizable, as he is owed $57 million over the next four years with a team option for a fifth season, but it’s nowhere close to what Fielder will make – $168 million over the next seven years.
This could be considered good news for the Twins, as Fielder hit 55 combined home runs in his first two years with Detroit, though Kinsler brings a big bat to the division as well.
Also, it could not even be on the Twins’ radar, considering they finished 27 games back of the AL Central champs last year. So there’s that.
