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.