Unraveling the Prince Plan

I was an avid fan of the television drama LOST since it began over eight years ago. The mystery and captivation of the characters kept me coming back for more. But my favorite aspect of the show was attempting to decipher what was actually going on; what was the overall plot?

Today, as a Detroit Tigers fan I have that exact same feeling.

In the days (or maybe hours) following each LOST episode I would hit the message boards and gather everyone's opinions to attempt to figure it out; figure out the overall plan. . . .today I did the same thing with the Tiger's signing of Prince Fielder. I must admit that I was ecstatic when I first heard the news. Okay, maybe at first I was utterly shocked and completely beside myself. . . . but after that I was ecstatic. Maybe it wasn't even for the actual signing but that there was no complacency in the organization. I was happy to see the "We are dedicated to improve" mentality.

I'll admit that after the initial feelings wore off I had to take a step back and look at it. Was this a good decision? We now have three players to play two positions for the next few years and a lot of money locked up in non-premeir positions. There has to be a plan to this right?

Dave Dombrowski is about as calm and collected as they come. From my understanding the guy doesn't panic and he keeps his cards close to his vest. That said, this deal got done in a hurry but it may have been in their minds the whole time. Sources have cited that Cabby was asked to get in "third base shape" this offseason so maybe it was always an option with a weak third base market this offseason. I'm not sure the years and the dollar amount happen without VMart's injury but maybe acquiring a first basemen may have always been an area of inquiry. Maybe not Prince Fielder, but maybe the likes of Derrik Lee, Carlos Pena, etc where always an option for improvement.

So where does this leave us? It's obvious that the lineup is the definition of dangerous but where do people fit? Is Cabby going to step in and play third base? Personally, I highly doubt it. This deal was done in a hurry, more then a hurry actually, more like a sprint if you will and I'm calling BS on the Cabby preparing for third reports. It may have been said within the organization but maybe as an incentive to make him a better first baseman. The Tigers would be foolish to risk moving him to third and get decreased offensive production and a possible injury. Miggy is a better 1B than Prince, and that's where he should stay. This was a spur of the moment signing made possible by the development of a plan caused by the injury to VMart. Aferall, need always brings up the best creativity.

By signing a 9 year deal Prince knows he's entering into a 1b/dh platton with Cabrera for the years to come. It's a perfect situation really as each can get enough activity to play every other day yet still get adequate rest. Both Cabby and Prince will have their careers lenghtened and value kept high by platooning but neither will have to give up at-bats. It's pure genius. Fielder can protect Cabby, Cabby can bring up Prince's RBI's. . .and both can mantain that they're capable of playing first base everyday even if they are not.

So the obvious question is where does VMart go next year? It's quite simple to me. We heard the VMart playing third base rumblings last spring and now he's got a full year to prepare. Their are 14 months before Victor's next meaningful spring training will start and he'll be a third basemen that whole time. Brandon Inge's contract has one year left and we'll take that defense this year. For the 2013-2014 campaigns we'll watch Victor man the hot corner until his cotract expires just in time for everyone's favorite 3B prospect shows up, Nick Castallanos.

This afternoon, I was afraid that the Tigers had acted impulsively, buying a big bat with disregard for the future. but now I can see that there is a plan, a decent long-term plan (or at the very least I have developed one for my own conscience). Now, lets hope this ends better then LOST did.