TOM LEYDEN: Prince Fielder's signing changes the expectations immediately

DETROIT (WXYZ) - It’s a where-were-you-when moment. 

News of Prince Fielder’s signing with the Detroit Tigers took flight just before 3 p.m. this afternoon and as I sat in the doctor’s office waiting for a steroid injection (long story), the shockwaves could be felt far and wide.

Doctors and nurses walked the hallways extolling the news after I shared it with them. 

“Wait ‘til my husband hears this,” said one nurse.  “He’s gonna go crazy!”

The Twitterverse blew up.  My phone was constantly vibrating with text messages and phone calls from friends and fans wondering if the news was true. 

And it is.

A week after learning designated hitter Victor Martinez would miss a significant portion of the 2012 season, the Tigers made a huge splash, coming to terms with Fielder on the fourth-largest contract in baseball history.

Only Alex Rodriguez’ two megadeals and the contract signed earlier this offseason by Albert Pujols are larger than the nine-year, $214 million deal extended to Fielder.

Pitching wins in baseball, but offense softens the burden.

With just less than a month until the start of spring training, Tigers management has shown once again the organization is willing to invest mightily in a franchise-type player to make a run at a World Series title.

Tigers owner Mike Ilitch is 82 years old and desperately in search of the elusive championship that he holds so dear to his heart.   On many occasions, he’s said baseball is his first love and his team winning the World Series would be one of the greatest achievements of his career, which already includes four Stanley Cup titles with the Red Wings.

Fielder’s arrival means Tigers slugger Miguel Cabrera will shift to third base, a move he confirmed this afternoon to reporter Cesar Augusto Marquez, calling third base his natural position.

With today’s move, this is a “win-now” team, which means they need to address any shortcoming immediately – and there’s still room for improvement.  An upgrade at designated hitter is still possible (Bobby Abreu and Johnny Damon have been mentioned) and the Tigers may also plug a speedy outfielder like Juan Pierre in the top of the lineup, which might necessitate a platoon-situation in right or left field with Delmon Young and Brennan Boesch.   

Too much talent is never a problem.  It’s when you don’t have enough that you have to worry.

Tigers fans now expect nothing short of a championship.  Detroit has postseason experience, a solid starting rotation and a lineup worthy of league-wide respect.  Fans will buy tickets and invest in the club, but the bar is higher than ever and criticism will flow quickly if the team struggles.

But not today.  Today's a day Tigers fans will remember forever – January 24, 2012.