DETROIT

The Detroit Tigers and Texas Rangers agreed to a blockbuster trade Wednesday night that sends Detroit slugger Prince Fielder to Texas for second baseman Ian Kinsler, according to a person with knowledge of the deal.

Fielder signed a $214 million, nine-year contract with the Tigers before the 2012 season that includes a limited no-trade provision, and the big first baseman was set to approve the deal.

Kinsler just finished the first season of a $75 million, five-year contract.

It’s the first headline-grabbing move of baseball’s offseason, and it involves two of the American League’s top teams. Detroit has won three consecutive AL Central titles and reached the World Series in 2012, while Texas won the AL pennant in 2010 and 2011.

But neither team was about to stand pat. With stars like Fielder, Justin Verlander, Miguel Cabrera and Anibal Sanchez in the fold, Detroit’s payroll had become one of the game’s biggest. And although Fielder hit 55 home runs over the last two years for the Tigers, his numbers dipped this season and he struggled in the playoffs when Detroit lost to Boston in the AL championship series.

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Fielder hit .279 with 25 homers this year, his lowest home run total over a full season. Kinsler batted .277 with 13 homers. He was limited to 136 games because of injuries to his ribs and right side.

The trade gives Detroit more financial flexibility, with Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer a year from free agency.

Fielder, however, is still only 29, and the Rangers are set to add a big bat to the middle of their lineup while also resolving a logjam in the middle of their infield. Jurickson Profar, a highly touted 20-year-old prospect, appeared to be blocked by Kinsler and shortstop Elvis Andrus. Now, Profar should have a chance to play regularly.

Kinsler fills a need at second base for Detroit after Omar Infante became a free agent.

Fielder is due $168 million through 2020, a salary of $24 million per season. Under his no-trade clause, he submits a list of 10 teams each year that he can be traded to without his approval



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