"With his nine-year, $214 million contract with the out-of-nowhere Tigers yesterday, Prince Fielder became the last big-name talent to come off the free agent board this winter.

It could also turn out to be the last obstacle remaining that has kept the Red Sox from finishing up their own offseason shopping list.

Teams such as the Nationals, Rangers, Orioles and the supposed mystery team that lost out on the Fielder sweepstakes are now free to spend — or bank — the funds they had targeted for the husky first baseman."