One of the top pitchers available this offseason is no longer on the market as Dan Haren was traded by the Oakland A’s to the Arizona Diamondbacks. Haren had an outstanding year going 15-9 with a 3.07 in 34 games. He was considered an ace for the A’s and will definitely be a great 1-2-3 combination with Brandon Webb and Randy Johnson in Arizona. This definitely makes their pitching rotation one of the best in the league if Johnson can get back to being fully healthy. The trade involves 8 players all together with the Diamondbacks getting Haren and fellow pitcher Connor Robertson and the A’s getting outfielder Carlos Gonzalez, pitcher Brett Anderson, pitcher Greg Smith, and 3 minor league prospects as well. This trade definitely works out for the Diamondbacks who get another ace pitcher and the 2nd best one this offseason next to John Santana. The A’s get some major talent prospects as well and will have much to work with in the future.
Miguel Tejada was traded to the Houston Astros for 5 players which is a crazy deal for the Astros who lose outfielder Luke Scott, pitchers Matt Albers, Troy Patton and Dennis Sarfate, and third-base prospect Michael Costanzo. Tejada is good but is not worth that many players and besides his numbers have dropped since his AL MVP. Then there is also the mention of his name in the Mitchell report. Houston has picked up a lot of players in the off season to try to become contenders and Tejada is just one of the puzzle pieces if he works out.
The Detroit Tigers have made one of the bigger trades this off season by obtaining slugger Miguel Cabrera and ace pitcher Dontrelle Willis from the Florida Marlins. Detroit fans should be very happy with the trade as it shows the organization is not close to rebuilding but is definitely looking to top the Cleveland Indians next year by adding some more key components. The trade involves 6 players from the Detroit Tigers for Willis and Cabrera. The Marlins receive top prospects Andrew Miller and Cameron Maybin who could supplant the loss of a slugger and good pitcher. The Marlins also get catcher Mike Rabelo and right-handers Burke Badenhop, Eulogio De La Cruz and Dallas Trahern. The trade allows the Marlin to look towards the team future competitiveness but the Detroit Tigers really get a big jump.
Willis is coming off his worst year as he finished 10-15 and had an ERA of 5.17 during his short 3 year career. The reason for his fall from a great rookie season can be pointed to some injuries, some loss of control, lack of excitement from the once ace pitcher, and maybe some lack of run support and relief pitching. Dontrelle Willis will join a Tigers team that has plenty of run scoring support and plenty of great relief pitchers. He will need to get back the form and confidence he once had during his rookie season and Detroit is definitely the place where he can be part of a winning rotation. Willis joins Justin Verlander, Kenny Rogers, and Jeremy Bonderman which makes them solid World Series Contenders.
Cabrera is coming off a good season where he hit 34 homeruns and drove in 119 runs. The slugger had a batting average of .320 and a slugging percentage of .542 which is comparable to A-Rod. However, Cabrera did have 23 errors which is not a good number to have as a third baseman. He joins a slugging Detroit Tigers team that already includes Magglio Ordonez, Gary Sheffield, and Curtis Granderson and should contribute right away.
Both Cabrera and Willis will be viable additions to the Tigers but both are also Free agents in 2009. If the two have great years and can be signed by the team, there will be plenty of competitive years left Motor City.