Gammons: Tigers Get Miguel Cabrera, Dontrelle Willis

by Charlie Wilmoth on Dec 4, 2007 6:30 PM EST in News

The Tigers have won the Miguel Cabrera sweepstakes. Detroit acquired Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis for six players -- Cameron Maybin, Andrew Miller, catcher Mike Rabelo and three minor league prospects.

The minor-leaguers aren't going to be great, simply because Detroit doesn't have any great minor leaguers to trade, and Rabelo's not especially interesting. But Maybin and Miller are both potential superstars. I imagine Miller would join the Marlins right away. Maybin probably needs a little more time in the minors, but he's close to being ready to contribute too.

UPDATE 6:47: The Detroit Free Press and other sources confirm this one. The other players heading to Florida include pitchers Burke Badenhop and Eulogio de la Cruz, and another as-yet-unnamed pitcher. Badenhop is a groundball-throwing starter who's going to have to strike out more batters or move to the 'pen to have much success in the majors. De la Cruz is a hard-throwing righty who'll probably be used as a reliever.

With this trade and the Edgar Renteria deal, the Tigers' farm system is officially kaput. Other than their 2007 draftees, there is nothing left in it. They need to hope Cabrera can get them back to the World Series, because if he doesn't do it, it's not going to happen again for a while.

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Peter Gammons has reported that the deal is done

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/

by RichieHebner on Dec 4, 2007 6:38 PM EST reply actions

Yes...

They're linking exactly the same thing I am?

by Charlie Wilmoth on Dec 4, 2007 6:42 PM EST up reply actions

Why not?

I can't help but wonder: If a ghost town like Detroit doesn't steer away from stars, big names, and above average salaries, why do the Bucos? I visit Pittsburgh about 5x's a year, and I have been to Detroit. It would seem to me that Pittsburgh seems to be much better off economically then a place like Detroit. Pittsburgh is much more resurgent, especially in the suburbs. The Pirates draw well now, so what stops them from taking a risk on a big name? The Tigers were nothing before they signed Pudge. I'm sure that helped their attendance out. They built off that, and now Im sure even with some big contracts, they are making plenty of money. A big signing by the Pirates would pay for itself, wouldn't it? It seems Kansas City is going in this direction as well.

by bucofanNY on Dec 4, 2007 7:58 PM EST up reply actions

Answer

Illitch wants to win, while the Nuttings aren't willing to risk any of their guaranteed profits in exchange for a chance at the playoffs.

Sad but true.

by Vlad on Dec 4, 2007 9:03 PM EST up reply actions

well

i'm on board no matter what, but any smart business person knows the more you put in, the more profit you will reap. He will make even more money by spending a little more.

by bucofanNY on Dec 4, 2007 9:06 PM EST up reply actions

bucofanNY

its buccos not bucos

http://raisethejollyroger21.blogspot.com/

by Brian M on Dec 4, 2007 9:52 PM EST reply actions

The Tigers are going all in....

They may regret this a few years from now.

by steve_z on Dec 5, 2007 10:15 AM EST reply actions

but....

if they win one in the next few year is it worth it? I think so. After they win, they trade good players at peak value and stock up on prospects and do it all over again. They have say a 4 year window to win, then be bad for a few seasons and then bring back that window to win. I think it works out.

by bucofanNY on Dec 5, 2007 10:18 AM EST up reply actions