A couple big trades went down this week, as blockbusters shocked the baseball world. The Tigers and Rangers, two fo the recent AL teams who have been to the World Series, made a big deal sending slugger Prince Fielder to Texas in exchange for second baseman Ian Kinsler and a lot of money. 74 million to be exact, and though this deal realistically works well for both teams, it is fun to try and determine who go the better end of the deal. Starting with the Tigers, the lost a power bat in the lineup, but added a consistent bat to put near the top of the order. The also got a lot of money that they can use to sign some of their other big names, Scherzer or Cabrera perhaps. Martinez or Cabrera can take over at 1st, and they fill in the weak spot in their lineup. The Rangers on the other hand, after missing the playoffs last season, added a big bat that should not have much of an issue blasting the ball over the little right field wall in Arlington. They now also have space to bring in Profar their prospect and see if he can be a big offensive contributor as well. After losing Hamilton, the Rangers offense was looking to Beltre and Cruz for their RBIs. Now with Fielder, they will have some good pop in the cleanup spot, as they now look to see if they can add Cruz or another bat to their outfield. Though Fielder is a big homer batter, Kinsler will be more of a contribution to the Tigers in my opinion. The Tigers key issue was not having men on base for the clutch bats with Hunter and Jackson at the top of the order. Now with Kinsler batting up there, Cabrera will have many more with running in scoring position at bats. Plus that extra money doesn't hurt in any way.
The Angels continued what they have been doing in each of the last offseasons, as they grabbed David Freese and Salas for Peter Bourjos and a prospect outfielder. What the Angels seem to do is pick up players right after they have had a couple good years, Pujols and Hamilton for example, then they go to Anaheim and do not live upo to potential. Hamilton was a big disappointment last season, and the also former Cardinal Pujols has not been among the baseball gods the last couple seasons like he was while in St. Louis. Freese did not a spectacular season last year, so his time may already be running out and the Angels could have had another big mistake, as many people were thinking it was all about them once they added Pujols and especially after adding Hamilton, but they still have not made the playoffs. The Cardinals are looking like they are going to lose Beltran, so some outfield depth was something they needed, from here on out these teams should be looking for pitching, as Vargas signed with Kansas City, and Carpenter retired. It wouldn't hurt to add a pitcher.
The Angels continued what they have been doing in each of the last offseasons, as they grabbed David Freese and Salas for Peter Bourjos and a prospect outfielder. What the Angels seem to do is pick up players right after they have had a couple good years, Pujols and Hamilton for example, then they go to Anaheim and do not live upo to potential. Hamilton was a big disappointment last season, and the also former Cardinal Pujols has not been among the baseball gods the last couple seasons like he was while in St. Louis. Freese did not a spectacular season last year, so his time may already be running out and the Angels could have had another big mistake, as many people were thinking it was all about them once they added Pujols and especially after adding Hamilton, but they still have not made the playoffs. The Cardinals are looking like they are going to lose Beltran, so some outfield depth was something they needed, from here on out these teams should be looking for pitching, as Vargas signed with Kansas City, and Carpenter retired. It wouldn't hurt to add a pitcher.
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