According to Yahoo’s Tim Brown (via Twitter):
“Source: Prince is very close to a nine-year contract with the Detroit Tigers, according to sources.”
Jon Heyman of CBS Sports has since tweeted that, “prince agrees with #tigers”.
The Tigers clearly became an option for Fielder after the knee injury to Victor Martinez left him likely out for the entire 2012 season. It does create an interesting dynamic, with both Fielder and Miguel Cabrera both under contract. While there will be speculation that Cabrera could move back to 3B (where he started his career), it’s hard to imagine that as a viable option though it should not be completely ruled out. However the two will likely share time between first base and designated hitter for this season (and they will worry about what to do with Victor Martinez come 2013).
As for as providing protection for Cabrera, the Tigers couldn’t have asked for a much better option. His low for home runs over the past five seasons has been 32 and only once has he driven in fewer than 100 in that span (including three seasons of 119 or more). While it’s not the best hitters ballpark, we all know that Fielder has the strength to hit the ball out of any ballpark.
Just to drive the point a little bit further, while there was a stark home/road split in 2011, that hasn’t been the case throughout his career (displayed as home/road):
- 2007 – 27/23
- 2008 – 18/16
- 2009 - 23/23
- 2010 – 18/14
- 2011 – 24/14
Seeing him hit at least 30 HR with over 100 RBI should be a near given. Seeing Cabrera match, if not exceed, those numbers should also be a lock. He was always able to perform without such a dynamic force protecting him in the lineup. Now that teams have to pitch to him?
Of course, there is still an issue with the top of the Tigers lineup. If they want to excel they need to have someone who can consistently get on base hitting at the top. Is Austin Jackson the answer? Not if he continues to strikeout over 25% of the time. That is the one major issue that the Tigers could face.
Who exactly will Fielder and Cabrera be driving in, outside of each other? Unfortuantely it’s not just Jackson who could be an issue, as there is no clear-cut #2 hitter in place either. Delmon Young could ultimately fill the role, and thrive in it, though we all know how unimpressive he has been at times.
Despite those issues, the move is clearly a home run for the Tigers. However, the stadium could suppress his power (slightly) and there are significant questions about the lineup around him. Does that mean we should downgrade him? Absolutely not, but it’s hard to imagine him reaching the 40-50 HR plateau either.
Going into the season expecting him to be between his 2010 and 2011 numbers (around 35 HR and 100-110 RBI) and you shouldn’t be disappointed.
What are your thoughts on the move? How would you value Fielder in 2012? Does the move inflate his value?
Miggy goes to #1 in my book now. He was borderline #1 with Pujols for me anyway. Jackson managed to get on base enough to score 90 runs and allow Miggy to drive in over 100 last year. I don’t think that the rest of the Tigers lineup is that great, but Fielder will drive Miggy in plenty. It would be intriguing if Miggy gains 3B eligibility too.
I see Prince being a borderline top 10 option now.
I think Miggy definitely sees some time at third. They started experimenting with him there for the post-season last year.
I agree. There are reports saying that he’s agreed to move to 3B on a regular basis. Even if he doesn’t play every game there, I’m sure he’ll get eligibility within the first month or so.
If Cabrera does move to 3B, he’s probably the #1 pick. However, if he doesn’t, I don’t see any significant change for either of these players.
Cabrera’s already near the top so even with his likely bump in AB’s with RISP if he hits behind Fielder, its hard to think that bumps him up enough to take above Bautista, Pujols, or Kemp for sure.
Fielder hit behind Ryan Braun, that NL MVP pumped full of roids that we shouldn’t forget about, so Cabrera isn’t much of an upgrade. In fact, considering Braun’s stolen base total from last year, Fielder will likely see less AB’s with RISP.
As for “protection in the lineup,” does this really exist? I’ve only read articles about it being a myth and having now statistically data to back it up.
They’ll both great players, but I just don’t foresee this deal making a big fantasy difference for either player.
I agree with everyone here that, if Cabrera does move to 3B, he could be the top pick in the draft. I’m not sure I believe that he can handle the position at this point, but we’ll have to wait and see what the Tigers decide to do. If we learn he’s going to play there, we’ll adjust.
As for Fielder, I agree with everything Dave said. Why does his value improve because he’s hitting behind Cabrera, a player much slower than Ryan Braun, especially in a worse hitter’s park? His value stays static in my book. If he wasn’t a first round option (and he wasn’t), there’s no reason to think that he is one now.
Whether Cabrera can handle it or not is kind of moot. There are going to be 9 inter-league road games for the Tigers and Miggy is going to have to play somewhere. I don’t think there is any doubt he will become eligible at third early in the season. And unless they trade V-Mart, he will have to play third every day in 2013.
I’m obviously higher on Miggy than some of you. I could see him being a borderline #1 before this. My only concern was the lineup around him, especially after V-Mart’s injury, and whether he would be able to maintain the 100+ runs you would expect, especially given the .400 + OBP he racks up. Forget the protection aspect, Fielder should be able to drive in Miggy regularly in a way none of the other Tigers could. I just don’t see that are many (any?) safer bets than Miggy at the moment.
Looking at this from the standpoint of being in an NL-only league…
Votto is the clear top dog, but then who?
Howard? Morse? Freeman? Davis?