Jan. 24, 2012 – Prince Fielder just shocked the world and signed a nine-year, $214 million contract with the Detroit Tigers. Fielder had previously been linked to the Texas Rangers, Washington Nationals and Baltimore Orioles and the Detroit singing comes from out of left field.
Detroit recently lost designated hitter Victor Martinez for the season with a torn ACL and looked to be patching up the lineup with a new signing. Fielder seemed a little much since Martinez is only in the second year of a $50 million contract. This signing pushes them into dangerous territory salary wise.
SEE PHOTOS OF PRINCE FIELDER AND ALBERT PUJOLS FROM THE 2011 MLB PLAYOFFS
However, signing Fielder easily replaces Martinez and might make the Tigers better than they were last season when they made it to the postseason. With Fielder and Miguel Cabrera in the lineup and Justin Verlander back to pitch, they are easily the favorite team to win the AL Central.
Cabrera, also a first baseman, will assumedly split time with Fielder at first while the other plays as designated hitter. With both power hitters in the lineup, it will be very hard to pitch around either of them. Fielder, 27, hit .299/.415/.566 with 38 homers, 120 RBI, 95 runs and 36 doubles last season. Cabrera, 28, hit .344/.448/.586 with 30 homers, 105 RBIs, 111 runs and 48 doubles last season.
Fielder finished third in MVP voting in 2011 and also took home the All-Star Game MVP.
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