Welcome to the Detroit Tigers, Ian Kinsler

In a move that was hypothesized a few weeks ago on this site, the Texas Rangers and Detroit Tigers completed a swap that helps both teams immediately address dire needs.

Sep 23, 2013; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers second baseman Ian Kinsler (5) dives to third base ahead of the throw to Houston Astros third baseman Matt Dominguez (30) on a hit by Elvis Andrus (not shown) during the first inning of a baseball game at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Jim Cowsert-USA TODAY Sports

With David Murphy leaving for Cleveland, Nelson Cruz potentially on the way out, and Mitch Moreland being a good but not great option at first, the Rangers pick up a player who will absolutely crush it in Arlington. Fielder is everything they could have wanted: a left-handed power hitter with patience, basically what Josh Hamilton was for them. He’ll be an immediate upgrade, and should thrive in Texas as a first base/DH for the duration of his deal.

Dave Dombrowski again showed that he has more chutzpah than basically any other GM in the majors with this deal. He bolsters the infield and cements second base for the forseeable future. Kinsler is a guy who has extra-base power and speed, and with the new coaches in place it looks like the Tigers will finally be fielding a team that can play to the strengths of their home park: a team that plays good defense and that has the speed to steal, take the extra base, and score from first.

This deal is also great because Kinsler’s deal allows them to allocate more money to potentially extend Miguel Cabrera, who has gone on record as saying he’d go below market value to stay in Detroit.

Now Cabrera can move back over to first, where he was turning into a good defender before his move across the diamond, and Nick Castellanos can slide back to third base, his position in the minors. That’s a defensive upgrade at two additional positions, if you think about it.

I couldn’t be happier with this deal, truth to tell. The only downside is that I’m more eager to see what Dombrowski will do next.