Tim Cowlishaw
While local critics of Prince Fielder rejoice over news of his trade to the Texas Rangers, some down in the Lone Star state are pretty darn happy.
Tim Cowlishaw, a Dallas Morning News columnist, writes: "There is much to like about what Prince Fielder for Ian Kinsler means from the Rangers’ point of view but nothing, in my mind, as much as this set of numbers."
Related coverage: Going, Going Gone . . . Tigers to Trade Prince Fielder
He goes on to write that Fielder has played in many more games that Kinsler.
If you’re not inclined to do the math, Fielder, the stocky (that’s being charitable) first baseman has played in 217 more games than the athletic second baseman the last eight seasons.
Yes, Fielder’s bat is coming to town with an eye on that right-field porch, and you can pencil it onto manager Ron Washington’s lineup card every day.The Rangers pursued Fielder two years ago but didn’t want to go near the length of contract agent Scott Boras was able to secure from Detroit. Now that deal is two years shorter and, with money coming from the Tigers in the deal, represents just under $20 million per year for the next seven seasons.
Worry about whether not this is too much money in 2018 when we get to 2018, OK? Today, the Rangers are a step closer to a return to the World Series than they were 48 hours ago. You can thank Jon Daniels and the fact he didn’t need the approval of any icons or figureheads in the front office to make it happen.
