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The latest Texas Rangers rumor...Texas is discussing a deal with the Detroit Tigers that would involve Ian Kinsler going to Detroit for Prince Fielder, according to Jon Heyman.
Now, before we get too far on this, the Rangers and Tigers are both going to be discussing a lot of things. Heyman says that someone "involved in the talks called it a 'possibility'."
So that doesn't make it imminent or even likely, necessarily. But still...
The Rangers have a spare middle infielder or two, and are looking for a power hitter who can play first base or the outfield or be a DH. The Tigers need a second baseman, and would probably prefer to move Miguel Cabrera back to first base or DH, if possible. So theoretically, there may be a fit there.
However. Fielder is due $24 million per year for the next seven years. The Rangers were involved in talks for Fielder prior to the 2012 season, and many thought he'd end up in Texas, before Detroit ended up making their massive offer in late January, 2012. So while the Rangers liked Fielder and wanted him back then, they clearly weren't willing to pay him what Detroit gave him. And on the heels of a disappointing .279/.362/.457 slash line/125 wRC+ season, which saw Fielder put up a 2.2 fWAR and a 1.7 bWAR, the Rangers are going to be even less likely to want to pay Fielder $24M per year for his age 30-36 seasons.
And we also have some indication that the Rangers think Ian Kinsler is worth the 4/$62 or 5/$67 deal he's currently operating under. So even if the Rangers think Kinsler has zero surplus value, they are going to want the Tigers to subsidize a good chunk of Fielder's contract. Like, in the tens of millions.
I can't see that happening. Now, maybe they can get creative, and the Tigers could kick in Nick Castellanos and eat less of Fielder's salary, but even then, the amount owed to Fielder is so huge, I have to think the Rangers would want the Tigers to subsidize a good amount of money.
And that just doesn't seem like something Detroit is going to want to do.
So yeah, I'm sure they are talking. But I'll be shocked if it goes beyond the "talking" stage.