Prince Fielder: 4 Bold Predictions for Slugger's First Year in Detroit

Highly coveted first baseman Prince Fielder went off the market late last month, signing a nine-year, $214 million contract with the Detroit Tigers.

His arrival mirrors that of the other first baseman to change teams and leagues this offseason, Albert Pujols. Both men took big offers in new cities rather than sticking it out with their old teams, both of which are franchises in the upper echelon of the National League.

But for Fielder, the expectations and circumstances are quite different than those Pujols is walking into. Fielder might not be the best hitter on his team, the supporting cast isn't nearly as good in Detroit as it is in Los Angeles and there's that pesky father thing hovering over his head.

Big things are going to be expected from Fielder in Detroit this year, but until spring training is underway, we can only speculate what it will be like for the big fella. Here are four bold predictions for his first year in Motown.

1) Prince Will Hit 8-10 More Home Runs on the Road Than at Home

According to ESPN's 2011 MLB Park Factors, it's going to be a good year on the road for Fielder. Five of the top eight ballparks for hitting home runs lie in the scope of his time away from Comerica Park, which sits at a neutral 14th in the ratings.

Of those five teams with high ratings, Detroit plays 30 of their 81 road games in those major hitter's ballparks. The jet stream at Rangers Ballpark in Texas, the short porch in right field at Yankee Stadium in New York and the short fences at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago might prove to be the difference when it comes to where Prince is successful in 2012.

With his arrival to the American League and a higher emphasis on hitting the ball out of the ballpark, I think Prince will finish with somewhere between 42-45 home runs in 2012. That would put him at 16-18 at Comerica Park and 26-28 everywhere else.

Granted, it's only 330 feet to the right field corner in Detroit, and he does most of his damage there. But the alleys are daunting, and Prince could end up doing most of his damage on the road as he establishes comfortability with the team he's scheduled to compete for until 2020.

2) Cecil vs. Prince Isn't Done Yet

Reporters love a good tiff. Especially when the outline of that dispute falls into the category of a family affair. Cecil Fielder took a stab at his son during his Ted Williams Hitters Hall of Fame induction last week, and my guess is that won't be the last time a member of the media asks the former slugger for a quote about his son.

The quotes from Fielder, Sr. are much more than any spat about legacy. If you read the entirety of the interview, it sounds as if family issues that have been around for many years just came to a head at the wrong time. Honestly, if I had a son who I felt was ungrateful, and I was being asked about him on a day I was joining a Hall of Fame, my comments might not be friendly, either. 

It's almost like the Bobby/Barry Bonds story in San Fransisco gone bad. And if not left alone, could turn into a source of distraction rather than the heartwarming homecoming first thought of after the signing.

No matter if the team is winning or losing this year in Detroit, the 48-year-old would be wise to stay out of the public eye if he does not wish to stir up any more controversy. If he doesn't, trouble will come knocking.

3) Miguel Cabrera and Prince Will Get Along Great

Moving positions can often be rough on a player. Miguel Cabrera has volunteered to move to 3B with the arrival of their new $214 million first baseman, but how effective is he going to be mentally and defensively at the position?

My guess is just fine. He better be on a weight program up until the beginning of spring training, because if not, then he'll be in for a rude awakening during the conditioning portion of practice. Otherwise, Cabrera should be happy as he has some protection in the lineup, especially with Victor Martinez sidelined indefinitely.

Cabrera and Fielder should get along great. They'll help each other in the lineup, creating a 3-4-5 tandem (with Delmon Young) capable of mashing 100-plus home runs and providing a formidable right-left-right combination to give opposing managers nightmares with bullpen decisions.

Position change or not, Fielder and Cabrera should embrace each other, and focus on their window of opportunity to contend in the American League.

4) Tigers Will Win the AL Central by 10-Plus Games

As the saying goes, winning cures all. And if the Tigers go on to contend and potentially win the World Series, the big money they have spent this off season will be validated.

If you look at the landscape of the AL Central, the division is there for the taking. Chicago and Minnesota are in somewhat of a rebuilding mode, especially with their pitching staffs. Kansas City is likely another year or two away from truly contending. And as good as Cleveland was during the first half of 2011, they were as bad during the second half.

Inserting Fielder into the lineup will certainly jump start the offense, even without Martinez. Doug Fister will have a full season to show his value as a No. 2 starter, and Max Scherzer will have another year under his belt to show improvement.

Detroit is as dangerous a team as any in the AL. They could be front runners for the entire 2012 season, especially in a watered down division. Don't be surprised if they coast into September and October.