Prince Fielder, who grew up hanging out with his famous father at Tiger Stadium, is coming home again. This time he's a whole lot richer.
Fielder agreed Tuesday to a nine-year, $214 million contract with the Detroit Tigers, the fourth-richest contract in baseball history, and he'll play for his father's former team.
"He's going to come full circle," Cecil Fielder told MLB Radio on SiriusXM at a charity dinner Tuesday in New York. "He's been there in Detroit most of his young life, so I think he'll be comfortable in that place. I know (owner Mike) Ilitch is probably pretty excited, because he's been wanting that kid since he was a little kid."
The Tigers hadn't expressed interest in signing Fielder all offseason, but everything changed dramatically last week. Designated hitter Victor Martinez suffered a season-ending knee injury during workouts. Fielder, represented by Scott Boras, had been courted by several teams, including the Washington Nationals and Texas Rangers, but no team was willing to meet Fielder's price tag until the Tigers jumped into the fray.
Fielder, who hit .299 last season with 38 homers and 120 RBI for the Milwaukee Brewers, likely will share first-base and DH duties with All-Star first baseman Miguel Cabrera. Cabrera also will be used at third base, where he once was an everyday player.
Fielder tagged along for years with his father, who played for the Tigers from 1990 to 1996. Cecil Fielder was a three-time All-Star first baseman in Detroit, hitting 245 homers. They are the first father-son combination to hit 50 homers in a season. Yet the two have an estranged relationship.
"Time heals all wounds, man," Cecil Fielder said. "Everybody has to come back together at some point."
