Prince Fielder to Tigers: How a Ring Will Come at a High Price, and Then Some

Earlier today, Jon Heyman tweeted that despite rumors of the Washington Nationals being the front-runners, the Detroit Tigers would be the winners of the Prince Fielder sweepstakes. The power-hitting first baseman agreed to play in the Motor City today on a nine-year deal worth an estimated $214 million, in a sense returning to the team that made his father, Cecil, a legend.

The deal makes the Tigers the odds-on favorite for the American League's representative in the 2012 World Series, as the normally light-hitting team now has a strong force in the lineup that can give Miguel Cabrera some protection. On top of that, they can now trade the injured Victor Martinez next season and get some great prospects in return.

However, as great as the deal is for the Tigers, I don't think that team management or the fans realize that they'll soon be out $214 million, and then some. Fielder is young at just 27 years old, but he's also just 5'11" and weighs in at a whopping 285 pounds. It's a powerful build that's rewarded him with 260 career homers, but you have to wonder how long it will be until he starts breaking down.

That isn't to say that Fielder's move to the AL won't mean a decline in his activity. Heyman mentioned in his tweet that Fielder would indeed play first base and that Miguel Cabrera would be switching roles. This isn't a loss for the Tigers, as they are essentially just switching out one overweight first baseman for another.

Yet, while overweight, Cabrera is a better athlete than Fielder and can at least make some sick plays in the field. I don't doubt that Fielder will play a solid first base, but his heavy build will make it so that he punches his one-way ticket to DH-land quicker than others.

Therein lies another manner in which the Tigers will end up getting more than they bargained for in Fielder's deal. Sure, he has averaged 38 home runs a year since becoming a full-time starter in 2006, but that was in the friendly confines of Miller Park. His new home stadium is Comerica Park, where home runs go to die.

Comerica is technically shorter out in right and right-center field than Miller, but the outfield is wide and expansive in Detroit. While I have no doubt that Fielder will have another All-Star season, there's a big risk that his home run count will diminish. He'll also be 36 years old by the time the deal is over, and given his build, there's no telling what the later years of the contract will be like.

That being said, as skeptical as I am of the deal, I'm still legitimately happy for the Tigers. They've upgraded their lineup in a tremendous fashion, and barring any major injuries, they could go from being a team that plays in an easy division to one that just destroys any and all competition. Combined with reigning MVP Justin Verlander and a decent young pitching staff, this team could do major work.

I just hope that GM Dave Dombrowski realizes just how much he really paid to get that World Series ring.