Prince Fielder to Detroit Tigers: Winners and Losers from the Slugger's Signing

According to multiple reports, Prince Fielder will be following in the footsteps of his old man Cecil, joining the Detroit Tigers at the heels of a nine-year, $214 million contract.

Shocking, isn't it?

Linked to the Washington Nationals and Texas Rangers for the majority of the free agency period, Fielder and agent Scott Boras made good on the "mystery team" concept of coming out of the woodwork and making a big splash.

When he trots out to first base on opening day, conflicted feelings of this signing will surface across baseball.

Here are five big winners and losers from the deal.

Loser: The Washington Nationals

Looking to add one big spark to a lineup built around Ryan Zimmerman, Jayson Werth and newcomer Michael Morse, Fielder would have been a huge weapon to further legitimize what the Washington Nationals have accomplished through the draft the past few seasons.

First-rounders Stephen Strasburg and Bryce Harper could also have benefited from the arrival of Prince.

Even if the Nats had to put out big money over a long period, who in Washington would argue that it would cripple the long-term success of the franchise?

Reports last night had him finalizing an eight-year deal to be a Nat—but the news today must at the very least be disheartening to fans and front-office personnel alike, especially since they had the cap space and mutual interest to be close to a deal.

Winner: The Texas Rangers

Nolan Ryan maintained that the price needed to be right for the Texas Rangers to remain in the running for Fielder...

It wasn't right, and I don't think you'll see any Ranger brass complaining to the media any time soon.

Nine years was too hefty a commitment for a team that will have some major personnel decisions coming up in the next few offseasons (Josh Hamilton, Elvis Andrus, Ian Kinsler, Nelson Cruz, Mike Napoli).

After spending a fortune on Yu Darvish, they simply couldn't justify adding another $20 million piece with the futures of so many other core players still uncertain.

Texas will look back and be thankful they didn't jump on the Fielder express after the Darvish signing, because if they had, those two would be the only two recognizable players on the roster in five years.

Loser: Miguel Cabrera

Miguel Cabrera might be the most overrated underrated player in major league baseball.

He's overrated in the sense that he hasn't had a shining year legally, and he doesn't seem like the kind of clubhouse personality that meshes well with newcomers.

He's underrated because he's had virtually no lineup protection for four years and still managed to put up 139 home runs, 461 RBI and finish in the Top Five in MVP voting for three straight seasons.

With Fielder coming to town, demanding a higher contract and being a left-handed bat, it's hard to imagine Cabrera continuing to hold down the fort at first.

Don't get me wrong, he's thrilled to have a bat as talented as Fielder behind him—but to change positions (3B, DH) is a hard thing to do in baseball.

It will be interesting to see if his weight plays a factor in his position. Also, once he's there, will the rigors of third have an effect on his bat more than his days of picking balls at first?

Winner: NL Central

I'm sure the Milwaukee Brewers were sad to see Prince Fielder leave. The St. Louis Cardinals had to feel the same way with Albert Pujols, as well. And it's not as if Theo Epstein and the boys from the Chicago Cubs are glad they missed out on a big left-handed bat.

But consider the ramifications for the entire National League Central. They lose the two best hitters in the division, both to the American League. The NL MVP is facing sanctions for performance-enhancing drugs, and a team from their division is leaving, signalling goodbye to having to fight five other teams for a playoff spot.

The NL Central is wide open.

Young teams Cincinnati and Pittsburgh continue to add pieces, the Cubs are a work in progress and both playoff teams from the division return the majority of their loaded staffs, allowing them to remain competitive and call up some youth to replace two proven stars.

It's going to be fun this season to see how this division shakes out, arguably because it is the one available for the taking most in the MLB.

Winner: Detroit Tigers

Who woulda thunk it?

The Detroit Tigers replaced injured Victor Martinez, added a left-handed bat and secured the future face of their franchise all in one fail swoop. Not to mention that whole legacy thing.

They already boast the AL MVP and Cy Young Award winner—pitcher Justin Verlander—and are looking to improve on last year's success in the form of an ALCS appearance.

They can figure out what to do about who plays and who bats where another day. Today, they will celebrate signing the last big name out in the free agent market, and who can blame them?

GM Dave Dombrowski and his staff deserve a lot of credit on this one, Tiger fans.