MLB Offseason Trade Rumors and Signings: Detroit Tigers Trade Prince Fielder to Rangers For Ian Kinsler
Trade rumors were swirling around Prince Fielder for quite some time and this week speculation turned to reality when the Detroit Tigers shipped the struggling slugger to the Texas Rangers in exchange for Second Baseman Ian Kinsler, CBS reported.
The Tigers had been looking for ways to unload the hefty price tag attached to Fielder as he still has $168 million remaining on his contract. The Rangers will pay him $138 million of it while the Tigers will pick up the extra $30 million.
Rangers General Manager Jon Daniels said both sides came to an agreement rather quickly after he talked to Tigers General Manager Dave Dombrowski.
"Dave called yesterday and threw out the concept," Daniels said. "We had a little dialogue before on it. From there, David and I had a series of phone calls and both sides were interested and we got the money where both sides could live with it."
Prince Fielder and Kinsler approved the trade and it sealed the deal.
"He fits what we're looking for -- a middle-of-the-order power threat that is durable and plays to win," Daniels said. "He's a good complement with Adrian Beltre in the middle of our order."
Fielder played in all 162 games last season but only batted .279 with 25 homers.
The Tigers have been very successful in recent years and the squad made it to the ALCS in 2013 and the World Series in 2012. The team's skipper in 2013, Jim LeyLand, retired and Detroit hired 44-year-old Brad Ausmus to take over.
The Rangers, on the other hand, won the American League in 2010 and in 2011.