It is quite stunning. There were ripples in the off-season market that more teams would seek to improve their clubs by trades than by signing expensive free agents. But two top contending AL teams swinging a big deal before the Winter Meetings is rare.
The Tigers traded Prince Fielder and $30 million in salary relief to the Rangers for Ian Kinsler. The Tigers save $76 million in Fielder's contract as a result, and get a top tier second baseman. It may open a spot to move Miguel Cabrera to first base to cut down on defensive strain on Cabrera's nagging injury history. The Rangers remove a crowded infield picture and add a power bat to their line up.
The Tigers have freed up salary budget, probably to make a long term deal with Max Scherzer. MLBTR quotes GM Dave Dombrowski:
"It makes it perhaps more possible. As we've talked about in the
past, we have a lot of stars on our club, They're well paid stars and
under any circumstances, even with an owner like Mike Ilitch, you can
only be in a position where you have so many of those types of players," Dombrowski told reporters on this evening's conference call. "Does it make it probable? I can''t say that. But it makes it more possible going forward."
This move also closes one possible landing spot for Number One free agent Robinson Cano.
Kinsler's 2013 season was very good: 13 HR 72 RBI .277 BA 4.9 WAR.
Fielder's 2-13 season was also good: 25 HR 106 RBI .279 BA 1.7 WAR.
