People are going to look at this trade as a total win for the Tigers. It probably isn't. Ian Kinsler isn't the same player he was a couple years back. His OPS is down well below .800 (.755 and .749 in '12 and '13). His power numbers have dwindled. He hasn't been effective stealing bases (15-of-26 in '13)and hasn't been the same kind of leadoff hitter.
Prince Fielder might very light it up in that left-hander's delight in Texas.
But I do believe the Tigers did the right thing by trading Fielder to the Rangers Wednesday night for Kinsler.
Fielder's contract was ridiculous and hindering the Tigers as they try to retain priorities as potential free agents Max Scherzer and Miguel Cabrera the next few years. Nick Castellanos, the Tigers' top young prospect, is a third baseman, and he was blocked by the combination of Fielder and Cabrera. The Tigers can simply move Cabrera back to first, put Castellanos at third. Kinsler is technically a downgrade not an upgrade from Omar Infante (.795 OPS in '13), but Infante, like Fielder, hasn't played well in a large sample size in the postseason. Kinsler has been a solid postseason force.
But the key to whether this really is not being done this off season. If the Tigers are going to effectively re-tool themselves, they still need a nearly complete overhaul of the bullpen, fill an outfield spot in left and look at upgrading in center fielder and catcher, with a Austin Jackson and Alex Avila at points nearing free agency where the Tigers either sign them long term or trade them.
But it's very good start, one that, frankly, is a better outcome for moving Fielder than could have possibility been imagined.