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Marlins set to deal Cabrera, Willis
Maybin, Miller and four other players would go to Florida
By Joe Frisaro / MLB.com
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Andrew Miller (left) and Cameron Maybin are considered to have the talent to be future All-Stars. (AP)
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NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The finishing touches are being put in place on a blockbuster deal that has the Marlins sending Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis to the Tigers for package of six highly-regarded players.
A source familiar with the negotiations has told MLB.com that the Tigers are parting with outfielder Cameron Maybin, lefty starter Andrew Miller and four prospects for the final two players from the Marlins' 2003 World Series championship squad.
Also heading to Florida will be catcher Mike Rabello, and pitchers Dallas Trahern, Eulogio De La Cruz and Burke Badenhop.
"Like I said the whole time, it's all a business," said Willis, who was traded to the Marlins from the Cubs in 2002. "I have been on the trading block for kind of a world record for the last three years. They found a deal suitable for both sides, so I'm happy to go over there and try to do my thing."
The deal was all but finalized as of late afternoon at the Winter Meetings, but no official announcement was expected on Tuesday. According to sources, both sides are reviewing medical records and handling final details on the megatrade.
"I'm not going to comment on it," Marlins president of baseball operations Larry Beinfest said Tuesday night. "It's been busy, I'll just say that. There has been significant interest in some of our players. I would say that things are active.
"We have not consummated any deals. But things are active. And we are working."
Beinfest didn't rule out that a trade could be finalized before the Winter Meetings conclude on Thursday.
The Tigers swooped into the sweepstakes for Cabrera and Willis on Tuesday and put together a package of players that the Marlins felt too tempting to pass up.
"It's possible at this point for something to get done before we leave," Beinfest said.
While the Marlins are dealing two of their most popular players ever, they are bringing in six top-flight players.
For Florida, this deal addresses several areas of need. The Marlins headed to the Meetings hopeful of acquiring a starting pitcher, a catcher and a center fielder.
Maybin and Miller were both first-round Draft picks of the Tigers, Maybin in 2005 and Miller in 2006. Both have tasted the Major Leagues.
Maybin and Miller clearly are the centerpieces, with both expected to make the 2008 roster.
Maybin, 20, made his debut in August and appeared in 24 games, hitting .143 with one home run in 49 at-bats. However, he made a rapid rise through the Tigers system, batting .304 with 10 homers in 83 games for Class A Lakeland before making a brief stop at Double-A Erie.
Winter Meetings
Miller, 22, made 13 starts for Detroit last season, going 5-6 with a 5.69 ERA. In 78 Minor League innings in 2007, he allowed 71 hits and struck out 61 batters. He was drafted out of the University of North Carolina.
Trahern, a right-handed starter, pitched for Team USA this fall. De La Cruz, who possesses a 100-mph fastball, is considered a candidate to either start or relieve.
"I'm pretty excited," Trahern said. "I love the Tigers organization, but this a new door opening for me. But I haven't heard anything yet. I'm a little surprised by this. I wasn't aware of this. I wasn't aware that we were in the Cabrera/Willis talks."
Rabello has a chance to be Florida's Opening Day starting catcher. Badenhop, another right-handed starter, was selected as the Tigers' Organizational Pitcher of the Year by MILB.com.
Cabrera and Willis were both rookies on the Marlins' '03 title team. Both are eligible for arbitration through the 2009 seasons. Cost has become a concern for Florida, making the two All-Stars expendable.
On Tuesday, Willis was in Mexico, where he is taking a vacation. He had yet to be contacted by either the Marlins or Tigers.
Cabrera is a four-time All-Star who comes off a season where he batted .320 with 34 home runs and 119 RBIs. The 24-year-old made $7.4 million this past season and he is in line to earn more than $10 million in 2008.
Willis is coming off a 10-15 season with a 5.17 ERA. While the D-Train, who made $6.45 million in 2007, is coming off his worst season, he compiled 205 1/3 innings, marking his third straight 200-plus-inning season.
Willis, who turns 26 in January, is Florida's all-time leader in victories. The left-hander, who won the 2003 National League Rookie of the Year Award, has a 68-54 career mark with a 3.78 ERA. In 2005, he became the Marlins' first, and only, 20-game winner, as he topped the Major Leagues with a 22-10 mark, along with a 2.63 ERA.
Willis was an All-Star in 2003 and '05.
"I was very proud and happy about my time in Florida," Willis said. "[Team owner Jeffrey] Loria was wonderful to me and the opportunity was great, but at the same time, I understand it's a business. I'm also happy I'm wanted somewhere other than Florida. I'm going to go out there and do the best I can for the team I'm with now."
Cabrera, meanwhile, is the only Florida player to be selected to four All-Star Games. A budding superstar, the Venezuela native is the third-fastest player in MLB history to reach the 500-RBI mark. The slugger has a .313 career batting average, with 138 home runs and 523 RBIs.
He established career highs with his 34 homers and 119 RBIs. Cabrera has driven in more than 112 runs in four straight seasons.
In 2003, Cabrera was a 20-year-old who batted cleanup in the World Series.
For weeks, the Marlins had been in intense talks with the Angels and Dodgers regarding Cabrera. And on Monday, the White Sox became a factor in the Cabrera chase.
By late Tuesday morning, however, the Tigers had emerged as the front-runners by showing interest in both Florida stars.
Cabrera's bat now will fit in the middle of the Tigers' order, which includes slugger Magglio Ordonez. The two are close friends and natives of Venezuela.
"It's great to have him," Ordonez told LasMayores.com in Spanish. "At this moment, he is the best Venezuelan player in baseball. He is a fighter, a competitor. He knows how to win.
"This makes our team much better. Last year we lost because we had too many injuries. With Miguel and Dontrelle, we are going to be the favorites to win the division."
That would be a Huge Deal. Those I don't know who would get the better deal
