Report: Fielder's Comments After Final Game May Have Played Role In Trade

By Ashley Dunkak
@AshleyDunkak

After Game 6 of the ALCS, Detroit Tigers slugger Prince Fielder said, "It's not really tough for me. It's over, bro."

In hindsight, those words look an awful lot like foreshadowing.

That statement by Fielder, along with some other interesting comments, may have contributed to his departure from Detroit, according to USA Today baseball writer Bob Nightengale.

Fielder also presented a big-picture perspective that fans did not necessarily appreciate.

"You got to be a man about it, you know?" Fielder said.  "I got kids, like I said. If I'm sitting around pouting how am I going to tell them to keep their chins up or keep their heads up when something doesn't go their way? So, yeah, definitely it's over.

"You shouldn't take your work home with you, you know," Fielder added. "I still have to be a father and take care of my kids, so you have to move on."

After Detroit Tigers slugger Prince Fielder's disappointing performance in the 2013 postseason, many called for the $214 million man to be traded. Few believed it could actually happen. Even Tigers ace Justin Verlander (and brother Ben) voiced surprise on Twitter.

National media besides Nightengale joined the fray as well, offering perspectives on why the trade happened and the outlook for each party after the fact.

Prince Fielder at #Rangers Ballpark is perfect fit. Jet Stream strong gusts out to RF. Big contact to damage ratio for Prince in Texas.

— Steve Berthiaume (@BertDbacks) November 21, 2013