Prince Fielder Signs with Tigers: Ranking the 10 Most Stunning Offseason Moves

The 2011-2012 offseason has been full of surprises.  

Albert Pujols, Prince Fielder, Yu Darvish and C.J. Wilson have moved around and not everyone has gone where expected.  

The Marlins, Tigers, Angels and Rangers were among many teams who have improved over the offseason. There will be a lot of new names in new places.  

The offseason isn't over yet, but here are the 10 most stunning offseason moves.

Carlos Beltran to the Cardinals

Carlos Beltran could help stop the bleeding from the departure of Pujols.  

Beltran's deal is a comfortable two-year deal.  The Rays, Red Sox and Blue Jays were believed to be in the Beltran sweepstakes as well.  

Berkman can now move to first to fill the gap Pujols left, and Beltran will likely play outfield.  

Beltran Deal

Years: two

Amount: $26 Million

Jonathan Papelbon to the Phillies

The Phillies got their closer, and in the process, let Ryan Madson go into free agency.  

The move was relatively early, and the deal was a little longer than most expected.  Papelbon will close out games for what is arguably the best rotation in the majors.

Papelbon Deal

Years: 4

Amount: $50 Million

Jose Reyes to the Miami Marlins

Jose Reyes comes in on the list at number eight because frankly it wasn't all that surprising.  We knew he was out of New York and Miami offered him a boatload of cash.  

It was surprising that it was the Marlins because their former face of the franchise plays the same position as Reyes.  Jose will play alongside Hanley Ramirez under Ozzie Guillen in the Marlins new digs.

Jose Reyes Deal

Years: 6

Amount: $106 Million

Gio Gonzalez to the Nationals

The Nats went hard after Gio Gonzalez and gave up a boatload of prospects.  

Gio will sit in behind Stephen Strasberg on a staff that features young right-hander Jordan Zimmerman.

The Gonzalez trade from the A's standpoint wasn't surprising at all.  The rebuilding team got rid of their top two pitchers and their closer.  It was surprising to see what the Nationals gave up to acquire a No. 2 or No. 3 in the rotation.

Gio Gonzalez Trade

A's Receive: Derek Norris (C), Brad Peacock (RHP), A.J. Cole (RHP) and Tommy Milone (LHP)

Nationals Receive: Gio Gonzalez (LHP) and Robert Gilliam (RHP)

Mat Latos to the Reds

In the middle of December, the Reds made a move for right-hander Mat Latos of the Padres.

They gave up a four-player package that included Edinson Volquez and two first-round picks.

Latos will most likely be the No. 2 starter in a rotation that includes Johnny Cueto, Bronson Arroyo and Homer Bailey.

Mat Latos Trade

Padres Receive: Edinson Volquez (RHP), Yasmani Grandal (C), Yonder Alonso (INF), Brad Boxberger (RHP)

Reds Receive: Mat Latos (RHP)

C.J. Wilson to the Angels

C.J. Wilson was picked up by the Angels at a pretty hefty price tag.  Many believed Wilson would sign with either Washington or back with the Rangers.  What was surprising is that the Angels paid C.J. like a No. 1 starter.

Wilson has only two years experience starting but has proven to be effective.  Wilson will likely be there No. 3 starter behind Jered Weaver and Dan Haren.  

The Angels just put their division rival's ace at No. 3 in their rotation. 

C.J. Wilson Deal

Years: 5

Amount: $77.5 Million

Michael Pineda to the Yankees

Michael Pineda was incredible in his rookie season.  The 23-year-old has a live arm and has an incredibly high ceiling.  

Pineda answers a lot of questions about the Yankees rotation.  They are rumored to be looking to get rid of A.J. Burnett.  Pineda will have his struggles but the Yankees didn't give up too much to get him.  

Michael Pineda Deal

Mariners Receive: Hector Noesi (RHP) and Jesus Montero (C)

Yankees Receive: Michael Pineda (RHP)

Yu Darvish to the Rangers

The Texas Rangers swooped in and won the Yu Darvish sweepstakes.

They bid $51.7 million just for the rights to talk to Yu and ended up with a contract at about $60 million.  It was almost a done deal that the Darvish bid went to the Blue Jays before the results came out.  As it turned out, Toronto wasn't close to Texas' bid.

Texas has invested over $100 million in the Japanese product. He has an incredible amount of expectations.  Yu will be trying to buck the trend that recent Japanese imports have set.  

Yu Darvish Deal

Posting: $51.7 Million

Years: 6

Amount: $60 million

Albert Pujols to the Angels

The Angels came out of nowhere to get Albert.  Everyone believed the Cardinals and the Marlins to be the only two teams in on Pujols and he signed an enormous contract with the Angels.  Artie Moreno was one of the most talked about owners in baseball.  

This move coupled with the C.J. Wilson move made the Angels favorites to win the American League in some people's eyes.

Albert Pujols Deal

Years: 10

Amount: $240 Million

Prince Fielder to the Tigers

No one expected the Tigers to step up and grab Prince Fielder.

The Nationals and the Rangers looked to be the finalists in the sweepstakes to get Fielder.  The Sunday night before Fielder signed, Twitter was rampant with rumors that he had signed with either the Nats or Rangers, depending on who you believed. Neither turned out to be true.

The Fielder signing was surprising because Cabrera had recently been pegged as the team's first baseman no matter what, and Fielder was pretty vocal about not wanting to DH.  

The Fielder deal was just proof that you have no idea what can happen when a GM gets excited about a certain player.  

Prince Fielder Deal

Years: 9

Amount: $214 Million