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Winter Meetings Transactions, Part III: Tigers Swoop In And Grab Cabrera, Willis From Marlins; Santana To Boston Remains A Work-In-Progress
By Administrator | December 4, 2007
Baseball watchers across America have been awaiting word on two potential big deals — Florida trading Miguel Cabrera to the LA Angels and Minnesota dealing Johan Santana to the Red Sox or Yankees. The deals were supposed to be just a matter of time…
But a couple of funny things happened on the way to the press conference: 1) the Detroit Tigers took advantage of the opportunity provided by the Angels indecision and acquired both Cabrera and southpaw Dontrelle Willis from Florida, and 2) the Angels have reportedly stuck their nose into the Santana sweepstakes (although GM Tony Reahins feigned a denial).
The Angels desperately wanted Cabrera to be the big bat they put in their lineup to protect Vladimir Guerrero. Florida GM Larry Beinfest identified his trade targets to Los Angeles early on — 2B Howie Kendrick, C Jeff Mathis and pitcher Nick Adenhart (along with a mid-level prospect). Los Angeles hemmed and hawed despite their obvious interest in Cabrera… and the Tigers pounced.
According to Peter Gammons, Detroit is sending six players — including their first round picks in 2005 and 2006 — to Florida for Cabrera and Willis. Florida will receive outfield prospect Cameron Maybin (#1, 2005), stud pitching prospect Andrew Miller (#1, 2006), catcher Mike Rabelo, RHP Burke Badenhop, RHP Eulogio de la Cruz and RHP Dallas Trahern. [This deal frees the Tigers to move OF Marcus Thames, INF/OF Brandon Inge and P Chad Durbin in subsequent deals.]
Cabrera hit .320 for Florida in ‘07, with 34 HR and 119 RBI… for his career, he has hit .313, with 138 HR and 523 RBI in 5 seasons. Willis was 10 - 15, 5.17 this past season… for his career, he is 68 - 54, 3.78 (his best season was 2005 when he was 22-10, 2.63).
Maybin shot through the Tigers farm system, but hit only .143 in 24 major league games this season. Miller went 5-5, 5.63 in 13 starts after being called up last summer. Rabelo batted .256 in 51 games… de La Cruz appeared in six games for the Tigers (hitting 100 mph on the radar gun)… Trahern was 13-6 (between Double-A and Triple-A)… and Badenhop went 12-6 (between Single-A and Double-A).
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Angels GM Reagins acknowledged speaking to the Twins last night, but he said it was about an outfielder and no further talks were scheduled. The Twins might have been asking about Juan Rivera or Reggie Willits. Reagins said: “We haven’t had any discussions about adding starting pitching. The rumors are out there, I know that, but it’s rumor. I’ve been watching ESPN, seeing things that are being reported, and you just wonder where it comes from sometimes”.
Topics: Around Baseball, Sox Players |
