Rangers, Tigers Pull Off Blockbuster Trade

The first trade of the Major League Baseball offseason has been made and it is a HUGE one. Straight up, player for player, the Texas Rangers send 2nd baseman Ian Kinsler to the Detroit Tigers in exchange for 1st baseman Prince Fielder. But wait there's more. As reported by ESPN, besides trading the two players, as part of the deal, the Tigers are sending $30 million to Texas to offset Fielder's cost. Fielder still has $168 million due to him over the next seven seasons, so Texas will pay him $138 million over that period. Kinsler is guaranteed $62 million over the next four seasons, which includes a $5 million buyout on his 2018 club option. In total, Detroit will pay $92 million in the deal -- $62 million to Kinsler and $30 million to Texas for Fielder.

Fielder, 29, hit .279 with 25 homers and 106 RBIs in 2013, his second season in Detroit. He gives the Rangers a power-hitting, left-handed hitter for the middle of their lineup, something Daniels listed as the top priority heading into the offseason. Fielder will be the primary first baseman and that the club is still figuring out Mitch Moreland's role. The Tigers get a three-time All-Star second baseman and someone who has hit in various parts of the lineup. Kinsler, 31, batted .277 with 13 homers and 72 RBIs last season (ESPN). He adds good speed, replacing what was lost by Omar Infante hitting the free agent market.

Now here's how both teams benefit from the trade. First Texas is getting a big addition to their lineup. Nelson Cruz isn't, as of now, going to be back in the mix for Texas, meaning that Adrian Beltre is the only real heavy hitting power threat in the Rangers lineup, at least on paper. Fielder put up respectable numbers a season ago playing in Detroit, hitting 25 homers and driving in 106 runs. But Fielder's batting average (.279), home runs (25), OPS (.819) and slugging percentage (.457) were all down from 2012. The slugging, OPS and homers were the lowest of his career (ESPN). One theory as to why those numbers are down is the ballpark he was playing in. Comerica Park is more of a pitcher friendly park, where as the Ballpark at Arlington is more of a hitter friendly ballpark. So Texas adds a big power bat to the middle of the lineup and solidify the position of 1st base. This should help the Rangers be more of a threat to Oakland in the American League West.

Now from a Tigers perspective the move was a good one too. Sure it stinks to lose Prince at first base, but in the long run, the move will be of benefit to Detroit. Now they have the option to move Miguel Cabrerra back over to 1st base if they so choose, which would be an easier position for him to play compared to 3rd. By getting rid of Fielder, it frees up some salary cap space and give Detroit more financial flexibility, with Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer a season away from free agency. I think the Tigers are really going to want to lock up Scherzer long term and they needed the money to be able to do it, so they pulled the trigger on the trade. Also adding Kinsler fills a couple of holes for Detroit to fill for next season. They lost a little bit of speed from the lineup with Omar Infante leaving due to free agency, so Kinsler can fill that hole he left. Also Kinsler is a proven 2nd baseman, and lets face facts the Tigers just improved the position because Kinsler is better than Hernan Perez who is listed as the Tigers 2nd baseman.

So the trade is a perfect balance as both teams are able to fill holes in their ballclubs both short and long term. It is a good deal for both sides.