When I heard that the Detroit Tigers had traded Prince Fielder to the Texas Rangers for Ian Kinsler last off-season, I thought it would be one of the most lopsided trades ever. I argued Fielder would give the Rangers much needed power while Kinsler would continue his offensive decline in Detroit. I wrote, that “the Rangers would have a field day over this one. Or perhaps even a Fielder day.” For good measure, I noted that Fielder had played 505 consecutive games. “O.K., so he won’t be threatening Cal Ripken, Jr. anytime soon, but Ron Washington can comfortably pencil in Fielder’s name in the lineup everyday.”
Well, what do I know? Fielder’s consecutive game streak snapped at 547 due to a neck injury which will require surgery next week and, Presto, his
season is over. Although Kinsler only has one more dinger than Fielder, he is hitting .317 while Fielder only hit .247. Kinsler has a good chance of being picked for the AL All-Star Team.
The Rangers did get some measure of vengeance beating the Tigers 9-2 on Friday. Although the Tigers have lost four in a row they still have a 4 1/2 game lead over the Minnesota Twins in the AL Central. Meanwhile, a month ago the Rangers were in good shape with a 15-9 start. Since then they have gone 8-15 and are now 7 games back of the Oakland A’s in the AL West. Not only have they lost Fielder, but it looks like Jurickson Profar, Kinsler’s successor at second base, will likely miss the whole season due to a shoulder injury. Profar sustained his injury in spring training and has not played an inning this year.
