Tigers’ Prince Fielder In Blockbuster Trade
The Detroit Tigers reportedly are trading slugging first baseman Prince Fielder for Texas Rangers second baseman Ian Kinsler.
The trade requires both stars to pass physicals and Fielder (and perhaps Kinsler too) to waive his no-trade clause. Other players may or may not be in the deal, and cash may also be involved.
Fielder, 29, the son of former MLB star Cecil Fielder, played for the Milwaukee Brewers from 2005 to 2011, and then signed a nine-year $214 million free-agent contract with the Detroit Tigers. The five-time All-Star, National League Home Run leader (2007), and 2011 All-Star MVP underperformed in 2013, however. In the recently concluded MLB campaign, he recorded a.279 batting average and a career low of 25 home runs, although he did drive in over 100 runs. In the American League Championship Series against the eventual World Series Champion Boston Red Sox, his average was a listless.182 with four hits and no RBI. Fielder has 285 home runs so far in his MLB career.
According to CBS Sports, the deal could be a win-win for both teams. “Trading Kinsler would open second base for Jurickson Profar. Texas has been looking for added punch to its lineup. The Tigers would free up some money in the trade plus fill their second-base hole created by Omar Infante’s free agency. Detroit could use big prospect Nick Castellanos at third base, and move two-time defending A.L. MVP Miguel Cabrera to first base.”
Kinsler, 31, has spent his entire career with the Texas Rangers and is a lifetime.273 hitter. He finished the 2013 season with a.277 batting average with 13 home runs and 72 RBI. He is due $62 million on the remaining four years of his contract. Among other accomplishments on both offense and defense, Kinsler is a two-time member of the 30-30 club (home runs and stolen bases), one of only 12 players in MLB history to accomplish that feat more than once.
Do you think the Prince Fielder for Ian Kinsler trade makes sense for either or both teams? Are you surprised that both MLB clubs are apparently willing to part ways with their established stars?
[image credit: Keith Allison]
Final deal: Detroit trades Prince Fielder + $30M to Texas for Ian Kinsler. TEX gets Prince for 7/$138M, DET gets Kinsler for 4/$62M + $30M.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) November 21, 2013
