MLB.com Reader Suggested Prince Fielder-Ian Kinsler Trade Last Week
(CBS) When the Rangers decided to send second baseman Ian Kinsler to the Tigers in exchange for Prince Fielder, no one saw the blockbuster trade coming.
Well, almost no one.
MLB.com reader 'Trace K.' from North Richland Hills, Texas proposed the deal to Rangers beat reporter T.R. Sullivan's in his mailbag last week.
Would the Tigers consider swapping Prince Fielder for Ian Kinsler straight up? It's my understanding they could use the contract relief, and we could use the middle infielder relief.
— Trace K., North Richland Hills, Texas
Sullivan, who typically has his finger on the pulse of the Rangers' organization, replied as one would expect:
The Tigers could definitely use Kinsler as a leadoff hitter, but don't seem to be yearning for salary relief. Detroit wants a World Series title and doesn't appear to be worried about the future. Fielder is only 29 and is due $168 million over the next seven years. His .457 slugging percentage this past season was the lowest of his career. The question is was that an aberration or the sign of a downward trend that could make this a tough contract to deal with similar to Albert Pujols with the Angels.
