Tigers Land Prince Fielder

The Mystery Team strikes again. For the second time this offseason, a team that was on no one’s radar swooped in and made a huge free agent deal, as the Detroit Tigers have signed Prince Fielder to a nine-year, $214 million deal.

Tim Brown of Yahoo Sports first reported that a deal was close, and Jon Heyman broke the news that it was official.

Source: Prince is very close to a nine-year contract with the Detroit Tigers, according to sources.

January 24, 2012 2:53 pm via webReplyRetweetFavorite

@TBrownYahoo

Tim Brown

price deal is $214M, 9 yrs. #tigers

January 24, 2012 3:02 pm via webReplyRetweetFavorite

@JonHeymanCBS

Jon Heyman

Ken Rosenthal added that there is no opt-out clause, so the nine years is really going to be nine years.

Confirmed: Fielder deal with #Tigers does NOT have opt-out provision. #MLB

January 24, 2012 4:26 pm via Twitter for iPhoneReplyRetweetFavorite

@Ken_Rosenthal

Ken Rosenthal

Just this morning we heard that the Nationals were the favorites for Fielder, and the Orioles and Rangers were in as well. The presence of a mystery team was hinted at but I don’t think anyone saw this one coming.

The Tigers signing of Fielder comes just a week after they learned that Victor Martinez would miss the 2012 season with a torn ACL. I would say this replaces his production nicely. Prince and Miguel Cabrera in the same lineup will cause nightmares for opposing teams in the American League.

And if you’re wondering where Prince and Cabrera will play, Jon Morosi of FOX Sports gives a little insight about the Tigers’ plans to play Cabrera some at third this year.

#Tigers had Miguel Cabrera get into shape to play third base, just in case, source says. Fielder 1B/DH, Cabrera 1B/3B/DH.

January 24, 2012 3:56 pm via txtReplyRetweetFavorite

@jonmorosi

Jon Morosi

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