Prince Fielder 29 completed just two of the nine seasons of his $214 million deal he signed with the Tigers before the 2012.(Photo Rick Osentoski USA TODAY Sports)
Story HighlightsThe trade gives both the Tigers Rangers a significant facelift and flexibilityFielder completed just two of the nine seasons of his $214 million dealTop prospect Jurickson Profar will take over for KinslerIn a stunning trade of big money All Star players from perennial playoff clubs the Detroit Tigers have dealt first baseman Prince Fielder to the Texas Rangers in exchange for second baseman Ian Kinsler a move that gives both teams a significant facelift and also flexibility.
ANALYSIS Rangers add slugger Tigers get flexibility
The Tigers will also send $30 million to the Rangers a high ranking club official with knowledge of the deal confirmed.
Fielder 29 completed just two of the nine seasons of his $214 million deal he signed with the Tigers before the 2012 season. He gave them two productive seasons hitting 30 and 25 home runs while producing an .878 on base plus slugging but he wilted in the playoffs. Fielder produced just two extra base hits in five playoff series as the Tigers won the 2012 pennant and came within two wins of a second consecutive World Series appearance in 2013.
The Tigers now will supplement $4.29 million of his salary annually for the final seven years.
He gives us exactly what we're looking for general manager Jon Daniels said of Fielder during a Wednesday night conference call. He is a great complement to Adrian Beltre and a great presence in the middle of the lineup.
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Daniels acknowledged the deal came together quickly Tigers general manager Dave Dombrowski pitched the idea Tuesday and it picked up momentum Wednesday.
We have gone through a variety of scenarios some more realistic than others. This is something that we had touched on. We hadn't delved deeply into it until yesterday and it picked up speed from there Daniels said.
In its aftermath both clubs have much internal and external jockeying ahead.
Fielder's 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.
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Kinsler 31 is entering the second season of a five year $75 million deal that runs through 2017. He'll fill a gaping hole for the Tigers at second base.
Kinsler's departure also saves Texas at second base anyway. Top prospect Jurickson Profar will take over for Kinsler giving the Rangers a low salaried replacement up the middle.
His bat at the top of the lineup is an instant threat Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said.
And the move ensures the Tigers will remain among the most active players this offseason. They 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.
Contributing Bob Nightengale
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