What did the Rangers get in Prince Fielder?

Jon Daniels made the offseason splash Ranger fans were hoping for that never developed last season trading away Ian Kinsler for Prince Fielder this week.  Did the Rangers acquire that left-handed power bat they desperately needed or simply take on a declining player with an awful contract for the next 7 years?

Fielder is a powerful left-handed hitter who is capable of hitting 30 homers and driving in 100 plus RBIs. He ended a streak of six straight seasons of 30 plus homers in 2013 when he only hit 25. He is a remarkably durable player missing only one game in the past 5 seasons! Prince also batted clean up in Detroit providing the crucial protection for 2013 AL-MVP Miguel Cabrera in their lineup. He is likely to be given the same task in Arlington to protect Adrian Beltre batting either clean up or 5th. His left handed bat will be put in between Alex Rios and Beltre in the lineup which is a threat the Rangers haven't had since Josh Hamilton.

Did Fielder's drop in homers in 2013 highlight holes in his swing and disturbing decline in production? There have been multiple reports from scouts within MLB indicating pitchers targeted holes in his swing in 2013 especially during the postseason. There is no question Prince had a down season in 2013 but this was a consistent theme across all teams in baseball in most offensive categories. I am not that concerned about his down season and he is far better suited to play in Arlington as a left-handed power hitter. I think the change of scenary will benefit Prince here, he will not be asked to be a leader in the clubhouse and will settle right into the heart of the lineup putting 30 plus into the home run porch.

Are the Rangers taking on a ton of new money that will prevent them from targeting more players?

Actually, the finances came out to be almost a push for the Rangers when looking at the contracts involved in 2013 including a name that no one has been referencing when discussing the financial implications of the trade.

Prince Fielder cost $23 million in Detroit in 2013.  That is a ton of money and hard for Ranger fans to digest considering it was $25 million a year sent to A-Rod during the Tom Hicks era.

However the Rangers paid a combined $23 million between Ian Kinsler and Lance Berkman in 2013. The team declined to pick up the option on Berkman for 2014 releasing the team from that financial committment.  Projected starting second baseman Jurickson Profar made $491,000 in 2013 which means the Rangers will only be paying an additional $491,000 using the 2013 figures.  Profar is likely to see a slight increase in salary but he is years away from artibration as well as free agency.  I see no reason at all where this trade would prevent the Rangers from targeting any players they wish in free agency or in the trade market.

I was thrilled when the trade was announced and nothing has changed my mind analyzing the player as well as the financial implications.  Ian Kinsler frustrated me constantly with his upper cut swing and wreckless base running.  I was never impressed with him as a leadoff hitter but that is directed at Ron Washington as it is the manager's responsiblity to slot the players in the position they feel can be the most successful. I was suprised Texas could acquire a quality piece like Fielder for Kinsler coming off a sub-par season but the same could be said from the other side.

The Rangers must handle Fielder and Profar correctly to get this team back on track as a contender in 2014.

1. Prince Fielder should be the Designated Hitter, not the starting first baseman.  His defense is poor and there is nothing wrong with Moreland's glove. I was concered that GM Jon Daniels announced post trade that Fielder would play first, I hope this changes during spring training.  Ideally, you want his bat in the lineup without his glove, the DH does exactly that and makes no sense to insist having him play in the field.

2. Slot Jurickson Profar at #8 or #9 spot in the lineup, low pressure situations so the kid can focus on his development. The kid was used incorrectly in 2013 as a super utility guy and counted on to make immediate offensive production in pressure at bats. He has a quick bat and shown some plate discipline but really struggled down the stretch seeing the ball.

Can't tell me the Rangers had this in mind

Reminds me to the Mavericks pipe dream of the 2012 offseason plan of signing Deron Williams, then trade for Dwight Howard to quickly build a contender. The plan fell apart and so did the backup plans.

The Rangers find themselves in a similiar state but with a few thankful alternatives I will mention shortly. They hoped to sign Zack Greinke to shore up the rotation and give them a dominating 1-2 punch at the top of the rotation. Then use the farm system to acquire a top bat and allow them to move on from Josh Hamilton, the names involved were Justin Upton or even resign Hamilton.

The Rangers organization were involved in almost every rumor involving top players at the winter meetings but refused to trade any of the top prospects. Other teams moved on simply leaving the Rangers on the outside looking in. Greinke went to the Dodgers, Arizona acquired a average safety in a multi-team trade and decided they were better off not trading Upton and for kicks, Hamilton signed for 5-years with AL West rival LA Angels De California.

So incase you missed it, here's what the Rangers have done thus far.

Lost
Mike Napoli (deal still pending with Red Sox)
Mike Adams
Koji Uhera
Josh Hamilton

Traded away Mike Young

Signed
Joakim Soria (Recovering from Tommy John surgery)
AJ Pierzynski

This team is weak in the middle of the lineup with no bats that will intimidate opposing pitchers. Only Adrian Beltre has the bat to consistently beat teams with power  but he will have no one to protect him. Nelson Cruz is not the consistent power threat to be that kind of guy and AJ might fill that role but it seems wishful thinking at this point.

Management has been mute on the plans for Kinsler this year, his job at second is in jeopardy as Jurickson Profar will be given every opportunity to take his job at spring. Does he move to first base or left field? I like Kinsler's bat and I want him more in a role he can drive more runs in than a simple solo shot to start a game. I am against having him as a leadoff guy, would rather have Andrus in that role. I like the idea of Profar in the 9 spot with Andrus at leadoff, Murphy at 2nd followed by Kinsler, Beltre and AJ.

The team is also weak in the bullpen as well as the back end of the rotation. The team has said they will make Alexi Ogando a starter this year despite a huge hole as a 8th inning power relief pitcher. Ogando was an excellent starting pitcher two years ago but faded fast down the stretch. This team is going to have to win with pitching and defense, the offense will have trouble scoring consistently. I value starting pitching over a set up man, I'd rather have Ogando in the rotation where he has success at the ML level and acquire a veteran set up reliever prior to spring training. I understand the arguement need to be strong in the bullpen especially when team will have trouble scoring runs but same is true if you are down 4 nothing after two innings.

I expect Robbie Ross will become a extremely consistent reliever and become that set up man until Soria returns from his surgery to form a solid back end of the bullpen as well as a future closer in Soria when Joe Nathan heads to free agency next year.