Detroit Tigers: Eyebrow-Raising Player Transactions #30-21

Aug 4, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers designated hitter

Prince Fielder

(84) points to the crowd as he crosses home plate after hitting a home run in the fourth inning against the Houston Astros at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

21. Prince Fielder. In and Out of the Tigers

This trade was quite a blockbuster. In January 2012, Dave Dombrowski knew that he needed a hitter to replace the injured Victor Martinez. He selected then free-agent Prince Fielder. Dombrowski definitely figured that Fielder would become a Tiger for life when he gave the second-generation home run hitter a contract for nine years and $214 million. At the time, this trade seemed amazing and for two years, Fielder delivered as predicted. In 2012 and 2013, he made it to the All-Star Game and played in all 162 games. It seemed he was determined to give Detroit what they paid for.

Then, the off-season in 2013 happened. There was something clearly wrong with Fielder and his attitude with the team. His bellyflop in Game 6 of the ALCS was the defining moment that something was wrong in Detroit. After the Tigers lost to the Red Sox in 2013, rumors flew about the future of Fielder with the Tigers.

Next: Eyebrow-Raising Transactions #20-11

Then, Dombrowski moved Fielder to the Texas Rangers in exchange for Ian Kinsler. While Kinsler has been an asset to the Tigers in his two years with the team, the Tigers have not only been paying Kinsler a top salary, but they have also been paying the Rangers $6 million each year NOT to have Fielder play with the Tigers. Financially, the Detroit Tigers lost the Prince Fielder trade – even with Fielder sitting out most of 2014 with a neck issue.