Tigers Score Cabrera, Willis

Baseball is alteration. Free agency, resigning, trades, waivers; each is critical. Each must be utilized. Success requires two elements. Maximizing immediate value. Evaluating future potential.

On Wednesday, the Florida Marlins traded Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis to the Detroit Tigers. As reciprocation, the Marlins received outfielder Cameron Maybin, pitcher Andrew Miller, minor league catcher Mike Rabelo, and minor league pitchers Burke Badenhop, Eulogio De La Cruz and Dallas Trahern.

Clearly, the trade inspired Todd Jones’ confidence. “Wow. Those moves put us over the top,” Jones said. “The 35-5 start might be in trouble from '84.”

During his career, Cabrera has batted .313 with 138 home runs and 523 runs batted in. In 2007, he knocked .320 with 34 home runs and 119 rbi. Conversely, Willis has accrued a 68-54 record. However, he has only registered two winning seasons. In 2005, Willis logged a 22-10 ledger. He also posted a 2.63 earned run average.

In forty-one contests, Maybin batted .143 with one home run and two rbi. However, he possesses immense talent. During his minor league tenure, he batted .304 with nine home runs. He also stole twenty-seven bases.

Concerning the Marlins, this is their modus operandi. They raze. They rebuild. In 2010, we should judge them. Concerning the Tigers, their roster includes Cabrera, Carlos Guillen, Magglio Ordonez, Placido Palanco, Edgar Renteria, Ivan Rodriguez, and Gary Sheffield. Clearly, they are the American League favorites.