The Detroit Tigers shocked the world today by swooping in to sign free agent slugger Prince Fielder. Among the surprised were Tigers' Manager Jim Leyland and his own father Cecil. It was well believed that the Washington Nationals were the favorites for Prince but I imagine it was difficult for he and super agent Scott Boras to turn down the 9-year, $214 million offer it took to get the deal done.

The deal creates a bit of a logjam at first base with Miguel Cabrera installed at 1B, but one of them could slide to designated hitter with Victor Martinez out with a torn ACL. The agreement comes in as one of the largest in MLB history, and the second biggest contract signed this season. Albert Pujols beat out Prince be roughly $40 million. 
Only time will tell if the deal will be worth it nine years down the road, but let's take a look at some of the biggest contracts in MLB history and see how well they've turned out. 

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