Tigers Acquire Cabrera and Willis

The first blockbuster trade of the offseason saw the Detroit Tigers acquire Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis. Cabrera has been on the block the entire offseason, but it was expected he would land in Anaheim, not Detroit. The Tigers sent highly rated prospects Andrew Miller and Cameron Maybin, as well as four others to the Florida Marlins. Miller and Maybin could turn into excellent players for the Marlins, but this is a brillant trade for a team that is built to win NOW!

Cabrera turns a very good lineup into a lethal one. Cabrera could stay at third base, but I think the best move for Detroit would be to move him back into the outfield. Brandon Inge at third is better than a potential platoon of Marcus Thames and Jacque Jones in left. In any event, Cabrera has been one of the best offensive threats in baseball the last few years, and now being sandwiched in a potent lineup like this, he will only get better and better.

That sexy lineup (arguably the best in baseball) would look like this:
CF-Curtis Granderson
SS-Edgar Renteria
RF-Magglio Ordonez
LF-Miguel Cabrera
DH-Gary Sheffield
1B-Carlos Guillen
C-Ivan Rodriguez
2B-Placido Polanco (Could flip with Renteria)
3B-Brandon Inge

Willis had a down year last year going 10-15 with a 5.17 ERA, but there has to be a happy medium between that and his 2005 season (22-10, 2.63 ERA). I do think though if Dontrelle was going to be traded to an AL team, Detroit is about the best place he could have ended up. He could have been pounded in the AL East, and he would get little run support with the Angels. Willis will also pitch in a park that is about as pitching friendly as Dolphins Stadium, and will be the third or fourth starter behind Justin Verlander, Jeremy Bonderman, and possibly Kenny Rogers. He doesn't have to be the ace of the staff meaning that should take some of the pressure off of him knowing there are other starters in the rotation that can pick up the slack should he struggle a little.

Look at the sexy rotation:
SP1-Justin Verlander
SP2-Jeremy Bonderman
SP3-Kenny Rogers
SP4-Dontrelle Willis
SP5-Nate Robertson

If Joel Zumaya and Fernando Rodney can stay healthy in the Tigers' bullpen, this team on paper looks like the first or second best team in baseball. Should the Red Sox get Santana that will tip the balance of power in their direction, but this Tigers team looks really, really good. Great trade!

Pat Morgan

Halos Sign Torii Hunter

Late last night, it was announced the Los Angeles Angels signed free agent, Torii Hunter. Hunter agreed to 5-year, $80 million contract to play centerfield. The Angels hope to improve a lineup that has been dismal in the playoffs the last three times they have made it.

If the Angels think Hunter is the big bopper they need behind Vladimir Guerrero, then they will surely be disappointed. Hunter had stereotypical walk year numbers last year. He had the best year of his career by far at the age of 32. GMs continue to sign based on the previous year more than anything else, and not put much stock in the entire body of work. In a sense, they are paying their centerfielders $26 million a year, with Gary Matthews Jr. set to ride the pine. Hunter is a nice player, but he is not a clean up hitter. So, I hope the Angels don't think that and continue to pursue Cabrera.

The question now is will the Angels continue to pursue Miguel Cabrera. Should they get Cabrera, Hunter will fit perfectly as a 5, 6 hitter, being a good complement to the big two. If I were general manager of the Angels, I would go very hard after Miguel Cabrera. I would give up Jared Weaver, Howie Kendrick, and prospects if that is what it takes. I normally don't agree with trading good pitching for offense, but in this case I absolutely do. First, the Angels have lacked a big offense since the 2002 championship year. Their bats have frozen up way too many times in big spot. Since that championship, the Angels are 4-12 in the postseason. Second, Miguel Cabrera is most likely a future hall of famer and is only 24 years old! He is about as sure as a sure thing gets. Weaver is a nice arm, but is not on Cabrera's level. They should give up some good prospects too to make this happen. Finally, the free agent pool remaining stinks. The fact Hunter got $16 million a year tells you all you need to know. They won't fix their offense unless they get Cabrera to bat behind the big Vladdy Daddy!

Happy Thanksgiving every one! (Jets 33, Cowboys 29)

Pat Morgan