Detroit on cusp of blockbuster trade
Tigers reach agreement to acquire Cabrera and Willis
Wednesday, December 5, 2007 10:46 AM PST
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — One swift move, two new stars. The Detroit Tigers are loading up for another run at the World Series, this time with Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis.
Detroit reached a preliminary agreement Tuesday to acquire Cabrera and Willis from the Florida Marlins for a package of six players, an unexpected blockbuster trade that developed quickly at the winter meetings.
‘‘I’m glad we’re in the other division,’’ Red Sox manager Terry Francona said. ‘‘That lineup just got scary.’’
In a huge deal that took the spotlight away from Boston’s pursuit of Johan Santana, Florida gets lefty Andrew Miller, outfielder Cameron Maybin and four other prospects from the Tigers, a baseball official with knowledge of the talks said on condition of anonymity because the trade had not yet been finalized.
The Marlins also receive catcher Mike Rabelo and right-handers Burke Badenhop, Eulogio De La Cruz and Dallas Trahern.
The players involved must pass physicals for the deal to be completed.
‘‘It’s very serious, but nothing is finalized yet because some issues need to get worked out,’’ Tigers manager Jim Leyland told The Associated Press.
Cabrera, a perennial all-star selection and power hitter, would join an imposing lineup that already includes Magglio Ordonez, Gary Sheffield, Ivan Rodriguez, Curtis Granderson and Placido Polanco.
The Tigers also acquired shortstop Edgar Renteria, a five-time All-Star, in a trade with Atlanta this offseason.
Willis, the 2003 NL Rookie of the Year and a two-time All-Star, is coming off a down year in which he went 10-15 with a 5.17 ERA.
He would be part of a solid rotation with Justin Verlander, Kenny Rogers and Jeremy Bonderman as Detroit tries to reach the World Series again after losing to St. Louis in 2006.
