CBS Sports' Jon Heyman reports that the Tigers have signed Prince Fielder to a nine-year, $214 million deal.
Gamer, c'mon brother, you HAVE to have some editorial comments on this signing?!?!?!?! 
Let's start slowly...you in favor or no? You can take a day or two to absorb and process! $214 over 9 is pretty lofty. Really curious to hear what the buzz is from Tiger fans. You're as tuned into baseball moves, yet stays objective, as anyone I know.
The buzz around here this was the owner that wanted him more than anything.
I think losing Martinez had a lot to do with that. Mike Illitch has done this before with the Wings and Tigers in the past.
Pudge and Magglio were all him when they signed here. I also heard that he has a solid relationship with the agent involved Boros.
I felt all along that there was no NL team that was going to sign him longer than 4 years.
As far as the AL. There was rumors that Toronto, Baltimore and Texas were a possible landing spot.
But it's clear now nobody was going to offer him long term money. I think that's what made the Tigers go in for the dollar amount and years.
How do I feel...
Right now I think it's a great move. Will I feel that way 5 years from now. Who knows.
The Tigers have a solid top 3 as far as starters go. Add that in with a pretty decent 3 at the end of the bullpen.
So when you look at their potential line up in 2012
Jackson
Boesh
Cabrera
Fielder
Peralta
Avila
Delmon Young
2B Santiago / Rayburn
3B Inge / Kelly
Outside of the last 2 that is a pretty solid line up. Next year you should have Victor back. So the line up gets even stronger.
I think this move gives them a solid chance to be a contender for the next 3 years. Barring any major injuries.
Since he wasn't traded. You will also have a young pitching prospect in Jacob Turner added to the rotation. Plus they have 2 more solid pitching prospects right behind him. They also have a solid 3B prospect that is two years away if all goes well.
When you look at the financial aspect. For year one you in reality traded Maggs and Carlos Guillens expired contracts for Fielder.
Next year they also have some big money coming off the books. So the money is not an issue until year 3 of this deal when Victor's 15 million comes off the books.
Let's look at two big contracts done earlier and why they were done.
Pujos. Angels new TV deal gave them the cash to make this move.
Reyes. Marlins new ballpark !
That place will be packed for the first year because it's new. If they compete, then maybe two years of sellouts.
Florida is a bad place for a MLB team. So in 2 years I think Ramirez and Reyes could be gone if not both.
But for right now they have the cash flow to sign guys.
From the Tigers end. I think there is something brewing here. My thought is that Mr I might start his own network like the Yankees did.
Or...Gets a new big money deal with Fox Sports.
Mr I owns the Tigers and Wings. Two of the biggest rating draws in this town and on that network.
He also owns a major Pizza franchise, casino downtown and a few other companies and property.
With his own network he can advertise his products and sell advertising.
Lets not forget. This guy also tried to buy the Pistons at one point. Who are also on Fox sports Detroit.
While it's not been talked about a lot here. I think he is on the verge of getting some huge tv revenue one way or the other.
I have a hard time even thinking Fielder will be productive 9 years down the road.
But why even think that long ahead. If this gives this team a strong 5 year run. Then they will also rake in money at the gate.
My guess is they will use Miggy at 3rd again in year two. This year he will probably DH in place of Martinez.
Next year they will have to figure out a long term plan for Miggy. But for now. It gives them a solid line up.
It's easy to say Fielder will be fat and unable to produce down the road.
So the risk is about the same as paying over 111 million over 6 years for a pitcher who has never pitched in MLB.
Like Texas just did.
At least you know what your getting with the other big contracts that were signed so far.
Pujos is just as big a risk. Based on the fact he is 5 years older than Fielder.
It's easy to say what a guy will be worth in the back end of the deal. But the Tigers are looking to win now.
Their division has done very little to close the gap with them. They won last year by 15 games. Without Prince.
I think they feel this gives them a better chance to win and go deeper in the playoffs.
Of course they know there is huge risk on this deal when he is north of 30.
But lets be real here for a second. He drops down to a 25 homer guy. Teams at that time will probably be paying 30 million for a guy that can hit 5 more.
There is risk for sure. But if the owner has no problem with it. I don't either.
My guess is if he stays healthy. He will be the DH when Victor comes off the books. Miggy back to first and their young 3B will be ready.
I'm sure they are probably looking at this at least 4 years ahead. Again if all goes well health and skill wise...
Then they will still have a young rotation, with 3 more arms on their way up.
Long winded response. But to wrap it up.
I will enjoy it for now. This is much better than watching Cabrera leading the AL in walks this year.
He had a monster year with Martinez behind him. I think you can expect close to that level with Fielder behind him as well.
I thought the current team before Fielder had a chance to win the central again this year. But would have probably been one and done.
I think Mr I also did this for Detroit. If that park is filled every night. Than the surrounding business's will gain revenue from that as well.
It was not mentioned before. But when the big 3 auto companies were in the shit.
GM could no longer pay for their big billboard at Comerica Park. Instead of giving them the boot.
Illitch instead added one for Ford and one for Chrysler for free along with the current GM sign.
Bottom line the move is good for the Tigers and the city of Detroit...Right now.
Hard to find anybody that can argue with that. So yeah. I like the move.
