Prince Fielder traded to Rangers

[Bench]

For Ian Kinsler, which frees up second base for Profar. 

[Fredia]

beat me to it and darn.off season not going well

[Ron Brand]

Mind. Blown.

[jbm]

Wow, that is an interesting trade.

I always felt Kinsler was the Ranger's toughest out and a leader, but Fielder is pretty damn good himself, although heavy and expensive, and therefore a long-term risk.

[austro]

I sure didn't see that one coming. Will Detroit move Cabrera to 1st? Do they have some up-and-comer for 3rd?

[Bench]

I sure didn't see that one coming. Will Detroit move Cabrera to 1st? Do they have some up-and-comer for 3rd?

From a USA Today report:

His trade enables Detroit to move Miguel Cabrera – who won two AL MVPs in Fielder's tenure – back to first base, while freeing up money to retain reigning Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer, a free agent after 2014.

Looking ahead another year, it also clears money to re-sign Cabrera, whose eight-year, $152.3 million deal expires after 2015...

[The Tigers] now must find a third baseman – uber prospect Nick Castellanos may not be quite ready – and losing Fielder's $24 million salary in 2014 gives them more flexibility to pursue a high-end closer.

[juliogotay]

The Rangers have several holes in their lineup and don't have the power they have had in recent years. They were average or below at first, OF and catcher. Middle infield being a strength. Besides Profar, their top ranked MiLeaguer is a second-baseman. Makes some sense from their perspective. They could still deal a Profar or an Andrus for an OFer.

[hostros7]

From a USA Today report:

His trade enables Detroit to move Miguel Cabrera – who won two AL MVPs in Fielder's tenure – back to first base, while freeing up money to retain reigning Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer, a free agent after 2014.

Looking ahead another year, it also clears money to re-sign Cabrera, whose eight-year, $152.3 million deal expires after 2015...

[The Tigers] now must find a third baseman – uber prospect Nick Castellanos may not be quite ready – and losing Fielder's $24 million salary in 2014 gives them more flexibility to pursue a high-end closer.

Mo' money, mo' problems

[Mr. Happy]

From a USA Today report:

His trade enables Detroit to move Miguel Cabrera – who won two AL MVPs in Fielder's tenure – back to first base, while freeing up money to retain reigning Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer, a free agent after 2014.

Looking ahead another year, it also clears money to re-sign Cabrera, whose eight-year, $152.3 million deal expires after 2015...

[The Tigers] now must find a third baseman – uber prospect Nick Castellanos may not be quite ready – and losing Fielder's $24 million salary in 2014 gives them more flexibility to pursue a high-end closer.

I saw Castellanos here in Toledo this summer. He's not that far away from being ready.

[geezerdonk]

Dallas area caterers hiring.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Dallas area vegetarian  caterers hiring.

FIFY

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Jon Daniels, boy genius.

[Mr. Happy]

I like this trade a lot for my fantasy team. Detroit frees up some money for Scherzer and Cabrera and is able to move Cabrera to a far less physically taxing position. It picks up a tough out at 2B. The Rangers needed a bat desperately. I think that on balance I like the move for the Tigers a bit more.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

I like it for Detroit too. They are thinking ahead. Don't know what the Rangers are thinking. Wonder what Nolan thinks...

[Ron Brand]

Rangers reportedly open to moving Andrus or Profar, looking at the Cards or Price from Tampa Bay.

[Ron Brand]

I like it for Detroit too. They are thinking ahead. Don't know what the Rangers are thinking. Wonder what Nolan thinks...

The Rangers are thinking Win Right Now and expecting a bump from 2013 for Fielder.

[Navin R Johnson]

Kinsler makes, 16M, 16M, 14M, 11M.  Prince makes 24M for the next 5 years.  Obviously year 5 is huge 24M vs 0 (if they dont resign Kinsler).  But this isn't like some huge salary addition/subtraction for either team.  I saw (not sure if true) that Detroit is sending 30M to Texas on top of it.  If so the difference in total money averages out to around 7M a year in savings for Detroit, which is around 5% of their yearly payroll.

Kinsler is also 31, Fielder 29.

[Ron Brand]

I think it's a trade that both teams are very happy about. They each get what they want and it involves star level players while affording each team to make moves that they've wanted to make. Doesn't happen all that often, so it's kinda exciting. What I personally like is seeing the Rangers tie up big money on a guy who likely won't be worth it later on.

[Mr. Happy]

I think it's a trade that both teams are very happy about. They each get what they want and it involves star level players while affording each team to make moves that they've wanted to make. Doesn't happen all that often, so it's kinda exciting. What I personally like is seeing the Rangers tie up big money on a guy who likely won't be worth it later on.

I agree with you, but I still like the trade from the Tigers vantage point because it allows Cabrera to move back to 1B and frees up some money for Scherzer.

[Ron Brand]

I agree with you, but I still like the trade from the Tigers vantage point because it allows Cabrera to move back to 1B and frees up some money for Scherzer.

Of course, and it serves the Rangers' interests as well. I just hope the Rangers lose their bet and their prize turns out to be an albatross. Maybe they'll ship out some stars-in-waiting for Price, who'll then be victimized by playing in that ballpark.

[mrpink]

Kinsler makes, 16M, 16M, 14M, 11M.  Prince makes 24M for the next 5 years.  Obviously year 5 is huge 24M vs 0 (if they dont resign Kinsler).  But this isn't like some huge salary addition/subtraction for either team.  I saw (not sure if true) that Detroit is sending 30M to Texas on top of it.  If so the difference in total money averages out to around 7M a year in savings for Detroit, which is around 5% of their yearly payroll.

Kinsler is also 31, Fielder 29.

Unless there's a buyout I don't know about, Fielder is under contract through 2020 which means years 5, 6, and 7 are huge. That's $72MM total for those years.

[Navin R Johnson]

Unless there's a buyout I don't know about, Fielder is under contract through 2020 which means years 5, 6, and 7 are huge. That's $72MM total for those years.

Nope you are correct.  I was looking at the Tigers salary obligations and it ended in 2018.  Prince gets 24M in 19 and 2020 as well, when he will be 35 and 36 years old.

[Ron Brand]

Overall Detroit shed $76MM in contract obligations, I believe.

[jaklewein]

Damn...I sure wish I hadn't traded Fielder away on my fantasy team.  Guy outta mash out there in Arlington.

[Ron Brand]

Damn...I sure wish I hadn't traded Fielder away on my fantasy team.  Guy outta mash out there in Arlington.

1 year older, at most a 4% park effect increase, mostly to RH hitters...ennh. Top 10-15 1B guy for 2014.

In terms of points per AB, 1B runs 30 deep for his production.

[jaklewein]

1 year older, at most a 4% park effect increase, mostly to RH hitters...ennh. Top 10-15 1B guy for 2014.

In terms of points per AB, 1B runs 30 deep for his production.

...and it's information like this that make me wonder how in the world I was able to edge you out this past season.  It's only a matter of time before you knock me off.

[Ron Brand]

...and it's information like this that make me wonder how in the world I was able to edge you out this past season.  It's only a matter of time before you knock me off.

Ha. Thanks. I try to learn. My pitching killed me last year, despite my best intentions.

[geezerdonk]

How many bushels of alfalfa sprouts per day is necessary to maintain Prince's three and a half bills?

I think I read somewhere that Prince occasionally supplements the vegetation with a whole smoked ox.

[Fredia]

no not babe!

[Matt]

How many bushels of alfalfa sprouts per day is necessary to maintain Prince's three and a half bills?

I think I read somewhere that Prince occasionally supplements the vegetation with a whole smoked ox.

The vegetarian thing is waaay in his past. He said he tried it for a bit but was quoted as saying he doesn't do that anymore.

[Bench]

The vegetarian thing is waaay in his past. He said he tried it for a bit but was quoted as saying he doesn't do that anymore.

And I think his short-lived vegetarianism consisted primarily of boca burgers drenched in half a bottle of ketchup. 

[Reuben]

And I think his short-lived vegetarianism consisted primarily of boca burgers drenched in half a bottle of ketchup. 

The best way to round out a strict vegetarian diet is cheese. Lots of cheese.