Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reported tonight that the Texas Rangers and Detroit Tigers will trade Ian Kinsler for Prince Fielder, with the possibility of other players to be named. Fielder is owed $168 through the next seven years, while Kinsler is guaranteed $61MM over the next four seasons.
Before this afternoon, there weren’t rumors of Prince Fielder being on the table, but that changed quickly, as MLB Trade Rumors reported that Tigers GM David Dombrowski was indeed open to listening to offers on Fielder.
Fielder had a slight decline in performance in the 2013 season where he batted .279 with 25 home runs and 106 RBIs. Kinsler ended the season with a .277 batting average, 13 home runs and 72 RBIs.
With the trade, the Tigers have solved their problem at second base, Omar Infante being a free agent, and youngster Hernan Perez the only other option at the position. The move will clear a space in the Rangers infield for Jurickson Profar, and it’s likely that the Tigers may consider moving Miguel Cabrera back to first base after playing the last two seasons at third.
Fielder soured himself with Tigers faithful after making comments during the offseason: “If they could do it, they would play.” Though Fielder was not media savvy during his two year stay in Detroit, he appeared to be respected by his teammates, so the trade will likely be seen with polarized opinions.
MLB Trade Rumors also made mention that the deal may include cash to offset the salary imbalance.
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Multiple sources confirming Kinsler-Fielder is only pending Commissioner’s approval. Rangers will get cash back.
— Evan Grant (@Evan_P_Grant) November 21, 2013
Tigers are sending less than $50 million total to Rangers, sources tell @Ken_Rosenthal and me. @FOXSportsLive
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) November 21, 2013
Confirmed: #Rangers get $30M. First reported by @JeffPassan. Price of Prince: $138M for 7 years. #Tigers save $76M.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) November 21, 2013
