Florida Marlins, Detroit Tigers Agree to Blockbuster Trade

The Florida Marlins and Detroit Tigers have agreed to a trade, which has sent shock waves through Major League Baseball. Florida dealt star players Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis to Detroit in exchange for six prospects.

Willis had been a reoccurring center of trade rumors for the past several years Willis will provide Detroit with a proven and capable starter to add to their rotation. Much of the hype regarding will came following the 2005 season in which he posted a phenomenal twenty-two wins and ten losses. However, the last two years have been filled with disappointment as the youngster posted a twenty-two and twenty-seven record. The era for Willis has increased dramatically over the past few years topped off by a poor 5.17 ERA in 2007. The pitcher Willis is today is a far cry from the stud pitcher he was 2 seasons ago. If Detroit is expecting the all-star pitcher they will be disappointed. However, expect the unorthodox delivery of Willis to greatly help his success in a switch to the American league. After early success, expect hitters to adjust. In the end, Willis will prove to be just above average in the much stronger American League.

Cabrera is the key player in the trade. Cabrera is still young, but has phenomenal talent offensively. Cabrera batted .320 with 34 home runs, 119 RBI and 91 runs this season. These numbers are simply phenomenal. Expect the benefit of being in a stronger Detroit lineup, in combination with facing stronger American League pitching to lead to a similar year. Cabrera can immediately be inserted into the heart of the Detroit lineup. Many doubt the work ethic of Cabrera who has physical conditioning issues, but Cabrera will add such an offensive boost to the team that such worries are mitigated.

The Marlins have continued to do what they have done the past several years. In Florida young players are allowed to grow at the Major League level because the Marlins cannot afford costly veterans. The core of their team is comprised of young players. Out of these young players, some become superstars that become too costly for the team to keep. Florida then trades these stars for large quantities of young prospects. Some of these prospects turn into stars and the process repeats. The process has netted the Marlins two World Series wins in the past and this is the latest mutation of this management philosophy.

The Marlins acquired three Major League ready players in Cameron Maybin, Mike Rabelo and Andrew Miller. These highly touted players have not been overly successful in their brief appearances at the top level. However, they will be given many opportunities to excel at the Major League level with the Marlins. Expect these two players to develop into quality talents. Catcher Mike Rabelo has not been overly successful in his season at the top level, but 2007 was his first sting there. Expect him to be given a chance to compete at the major league level in 2008 with Florida.

Florida also acquired three minor prospects. These prospects are Eulogio De La Cruz, Dallas Trahern, and Burke Badenhop. These are three quality prospects that will further improve the already quality farm system of Florida. Expect Florida to be patient with these players and for some of them to make the big league team at some point.

Both teams have accomplished major feats in this trade. Detroit has improved its starting rotation and its offensive prowess. Florida has moved two players they would not have been able to afford to keep, while acquiring talented youth to replenish what was lost. This was a sensible move by both teams.