The Texas Rangers and Detroit Tigers pulled off the first big move of the offseason, as a trade of Prince Fielder for Ian Kinsler and possibly other players has been agreed to pending physicals and the report comes from Jon Heyman, who said that the deal is basically done, filling a need for both sides.
The trade was reported by CBS Sports and Jon Heyman and is not that big of a surprise, as reports came out this offseason that the Rangers were interested in making a big move, while the Detroit Tigers reportedly were willing to trade Fielder and were open to listening to offers. Fielder signed a nine year deal worth over $200 million and now he will be with a new team and it was a big opportunity for the Rangers, who did not get much production from first base and also may lose more power from the lineup if Nelson Cruz leaves in free agency. The move allows the Rangers to use Jurickson Profar at second base if they want and the Tigers now add a top second baseman after getting marginal production from the position last season.
The Tigers also reportedly were looking to trade Max Scherzer this offseason, but that may not happen now after this deal was pulled off. Fielder had a rough finish to the playoffs and now he adds a massive bat to the lineup for the Tigers and is a huge move for Jon Daniels, who reportedly was looking to make a big move. The Tigers move allows the team to get some money off of the books and the Rangers are almost happy to get a bat like Fielder's even with his high salary. The team could use some of that extra saved money to sign Scherzer or make another move, but it fills a need for both sides. Miguel Cabrera now will be freed up to move to first base and that would get him out of hard way and is appears that no other players are involved and that the Tigers will also send some cash.
The move is big for both teams and is a shake up to the American League and it also signals some moves that the Tigers and Rangers make heading into the offseason. Detroit could spend more money now in free agency and the Rangers may decide to pull back a bit, but either way they have a very big bat now in the lineup. Fielder has Texas on his no trade list says Jon Heyman, but the two sides have agreed to the deal and it says that Fielder is likely to approve of the deal as well.
