Tigers Make Free-Agency Splash, Sign Fielder The Detroit Tigers are on the verge of pulling off one of the biggest free agent deals of the off-season, having come to terms with slugger Prince Fielder on a nine-year, $214 million deal, according to multiple team sources. The signing was quickly reported by Foxsports and others. The Tigers are not yet officially commenting on the signing. It's a dramatic - and expensive - move by Tigers owner Mike Ilitch in the free agent market. Just last week, the Tigers were wondering what to do after designated hitter Victor Martinez was lost for the entire 2012 season after he tore his anterior cruciate ligament during an off-season workout. Fielder, who has played for the Brewers for the past seven seasons, has averaged 32.8 homers and 93.7 R.B.I. each season. Last year, he hit .299 with 38 home runs, 120 R.B.I. and finished third in National League most valuable player voting. The Tigers will now likely shift first baseman Miguel Cabrera to third, allowing Fielder to take over at first. The Tigers" lineup becomes even more potent, with Cabrera having hit .344 with 30 homers and 105 R.B.I. last season. Throw in 2011 American League most valuable player and Cy Young winner Justin Verlander on the mound, and the Tigers appear to be assembling a team for a run at the World Series. The Tigers made the American League Championship Series last season, but lost to the Texas Rangers. It's quite a change from last week. While discussing the impact of the Martinez injury, Tigers General Manager Dave Dombrowski downplayed the option of pursuing Fielder. "He just doesn't fit for us," Dombrowski said. He is looking for a long-term deal, and that just doesn't fit for us. Fielder has history in Detroit, growing up in its suburbs while his father, Cecil Fielder, starred for the Tigers. Cecil played for the Tigers from 1990-96, hitting 245 homers, including one, famously, out of Tiger Stadium. The younger Fielder made a name for himself too as a kid, as a slugger during his Little League days and impressing fans by hitting home runs in Tiger Stadium during batting practice sessions with his dad. Cecil and his son have become estranged in recent years, but he wished his son well with the Tigers. "That just shocked me...when I got that call," Cecil told SiriusXMSports radio Tuesday afternoon. He's coming full circle now.