Prince Fielder Signs with Tigers: The 10 Most Stunning Headlines This Offseason

Normally, the time line of the MLB offseason goes something like this: Desperate franchise "A" signs overrated free agent "A" to a ridiculous contract; Yankees sign free agents "B,C,D,E,etc.;" start of spring training.

Not this season,however. 

There were tons of unexpected "wow" moments throughout the winter months.

Nearly half a billion dollars was spent between two guys, a golden-boy MVP seems to have been caught red-handed, and the American League became more top-heavy than Dolly Parton circa 1980.

Here are 10 moments that caught us all off guard.

The Prince of Detroit

Prince Fielder's homecoming to Detroit not only served as a major story the last week of this offseason, it also was a great excuse to break out all the old videos of an adorably chubby toddler.

While Prince had a history in Detroit that many outside the region likely forgot, Tigers ownership didn't—opting to replace the injured Victor Martinez with the best bat available in the market.

Prince signing in Detroit shouldn't have been that shocking seeing the mutual fit. Signing for $214 million, however, was a complete shock.

Angels Make a Statement

Not believed to be in the picture to sign Albert Pujols, the Angels shocked the baseball world by signing the Hall of Famer away from the suddenly bottomless-pocketed Marlins.

Not only did the Angels punch it into the end zone by signing Pujols, they were successful on the two-point conversation—also persuading rival Rangers ace C.J. Wilson to move to Southern California.

While the Angels are now a favorite to win the World Series, they're more than $300 million poorer—meaning lots of $22 beers at Angel Stadium.

Miami Marlins Splurge

Desperate to compete with the Phillies and Braves—and to draw more than 1,000 fans to their new stadium—the recently renamed Miami Marlins made a run at nearly every huge free agent on the market early this offseason.

While their bid for the ultimate prize (Pujols) fell short, the Marlins were successful in acquiring two big names: shortstop Jose Reyes and starter Mark Buerhle.

The Marlins might not be done. 

As Cuban export Yoenis Cespedes hits the market, the Marlins are said to be "aggressive to the point of stupidity" in signing the outfielder. 

That's bad news for teams interested in Cespedes, great news for the several hundred Marlins fans.

Fire Sales in Oakland and Chicago

Perhaps trying to organically generate a script for a sequel, A's GM Billy Beane has sold off a good portion of his talent in Oakland—similar to the plot of 2011's Academy Award-nominated Moneyball.

This offseason, the A's have shipped away Gio Gonzalez, Trevor Cahill and Andrew Bailey for prospects. 

All isn't lost, though—the A's did pick up Bartolo Colon to replace them.

Meanwhile in Chicago, the boo-birds have already begun telling White Sox GM Kenny Williams what they think of his offseason strategy. Williams allowed Mark Buerhle to walk, sold off Carlos Quentin and Sergio Santos, and in free agency, was about as active as Rosie O'Donnell on a treadmill.

Perhaps Williams is lobbying for an episode as a White Sox sales associate on "Undercover Boss," the CBS TV series that lets big-wigs see just how crappy their company is.

Ryan Braun's Image Gets Tarnished

While he's innocent until proven guilty, it doesn't look good at all for Ryan Braun, the reigning NL MVP.

Last season Braun mashed, finishing with a .332 average, 33 HRs, 111 RBI and one dirty drug test.

This offseason, word leaked that Braun tested with insanely high testosterone levels that still allowed him to keep his MVP award but will likely cause the Brewers to lose his services for 50 games.

Braun maintains his innocence to a shocked baseball community, but his tainted urine claims otherwise.

Red Sox Say Goodbye, Cubs Hello, to Theo Epstein

Theo Epstein recently turned 38. What a life.

After redirecting the Red Sox back to baseball relevance, Epstein left Boston for the equally monumental task of ending the suffering of legions of Cubs fans—all while being a couple decades younger than most of his counterparts.

While change was inevitable after a collapse of his highly talented squad in Boston, Epstein won't have nearly the expectations with the down-in-the-dumps Cubs.

However, assuming Epstein is given the time to rebuild, it might just be a couple of years before Steve Bartman is forgiven on the North Side.

Yankees Deal Jesus

Feeling the ripple effect of the splashes made by their competitors in the American League, the Yankees dealt mega-prospect Jesus Montero for immediate pitching help.

Seen as the savior of the Yankees system, the ironically named Jesus wasn't seen as more valuable than a couple of starters to GM Brian Cashman.

For Montero, the Yankees acquired one of the league's most talented young pitchers in Michael Pineda, but they weren't done yet, signing starter Hiroki Kuroda the same day.

Pineda and Kuroda will go a long way toward improving the Yankees pitching staff as the slugfest that is the American League elite kicks off this spring.

Will Cespedes Ever Be a Free Agent?

Cuban prospect Yoenis Cespedes's pending free agency dragged out longer than an episode of Grey's Anatomy. I dare you to try watching one if you're not a woman or doctor.

While waiting for his Dominican residency—and the right to play in the U.S.—the Cespedes rumors have been rampant.

Despite his significant numbers in Cuba, the fact that he's approaching a $50 million payday with some huge holes in his swing and no major league experience is about as fiscally responsible as an extended warranty.

Let the bidding begin!

Yu Got What I Need

After losing their ace to their biggest rival, the Texas Rangers spent a ton of cash on a sleeker Japanese model—legend Yu Darvish.

Darvish will be counted on heavily to anchor a rotation that will have to contend with the Angels, Yankees and Tigers in the American League.

While nightmares of Daisuke Matsuzaka and Hideki Irabu will no doubt be dancing in the heads of Rangers fans, Darvish comes to Texas with a better track record and more natural ability.

However, if Darvish flames out, likely so will the Rangers' chances at a return to the World Series.

A Legend Retires

Lost in the midst of a half dozen of these other headlines was the retirement of a legend in New York—Jorge Posada.

Often serving as a wing man for some of the Yankees bigger names, Posada was able to do what the majority of stars haven't done—finish where he started.

Posada leaves Gotham with five All-Star Appearances, four World Series rings and an untarnished image.

While his ticket to Cooperstown is far from a given, he'll always be a central part of the rebirth of the world's most famous franchise.