With Cabrera in Detroit, Angels turn attention to
Tejada (Yahoo! Sports)

post from MLB News Blog on 05 December 2007 09:23:40 AM. © MLB News Blog

With Miguel Cabrera on his way to the Detroit Tigers, it appears the Los Angeles Angels will now turn their…Read the full story.

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Winter Meetings: The latest from Day 3

post from MLB News Blog on 05 December 2007 09:19:26 AM. © MLB News Blog

The proposed trade of outfielder Alex Rios for either San Francisco’s Matt Cain or Tim Lincecum rests with the Giants’ decision-makers, according to major-league sources.Read the full story.

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http://mlbnewsblog.com/2007/12/05/winter-meetings-the-latest-from-day-3/

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Cards Looking into the Secondary SP Market

post from MLB Fleece Factor on 05 December 2007 09:14:31 AM. © MLB Fleece Factor

In a piece about the Scott Rolen scenario in the St. Louis Post Dispatch, we found a little nugget suggesting that the Cardinals are looking into grabbing a SP, but not the big names we have been hearing in rumors all week.It seems that Kevin Millwood and Cliff Lee are on the radar, and it [...]

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http://mlbfleecefactor.com/2007/12/05/cards-looking-into-the-secondary-sp-market/

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Chum Bucket

post from FishStripes on 05 December 2007 09:11:09 AM. © FishStripes

The Winter Meetings continue on but today shouldn't be quite so boisterous for the Marlins.

The Fish still need to figure out who is going play third. If I had to guess, given what's available now in the organization, I would guess that Danny will move to third and Andino will play second. Your thoughts may differ.

Oh, one thing I would really like your best guess on who will be in starting rotation next season. It would be much appreciated.

Not sure why I'm posting this other than to do it: Former Marlins in the Tigers organization.

This is the daily Chum Bucket, so do what you do.

Have a Great Day!

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http://www.fishstripes.com/story/2007/12/5/85122/9297

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Winter Meetings Open Thread: Day 3

post from Talking Chop on 05 December 2007 09:10:17 AM. © Talking Chop

So the blockbuster happened yesterday between the Fish and the Tigers. We got what looks to be a bargain in a lefty and backup infielder. Have the D-Rays traded away any more troubled outfielders?

There were multiple sources that had us talking to free agent backup catcher Damian Miller. He's sort of Todd Prattish. The Nats are also in on him and may offer him more playing time. I'm fine sticking with Sammons and/or Pena.

We could also be in on Reggie Willits from Anaheim, but aside from being a good on-base guy, I don't find him that exciting, and I certainly don't want to give up anything north of a B-level prospect for him.

There's been a lot of activity and a lot of chatter for just two days, but we've got two more to go.

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http://www.talkingchop.com/story/2007/12/5/91017/2278

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Bay to Cleveland Still Alive

post from MLB Fleece Factor on 05 December 2007 09:05:16 AM. © MLB Fleece Factor

It looks like the Tigers big move yesterday has lit a fire under the Indians all of a sudden. Cleveland has been rumored to be interested in Jason Bay for some time now, yet talks broke off in the last couple of days.According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Cleveland is talking with Pittsburgh again in a [...]

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Wednesday Morning Rockpile:

post from Purple Row on 05 December 2007 08:57:39 AM. © Purple Row

Alright, so the Winter Meetings, while lacking much actual movement as far as the Rockies are concerned, have stirred up a hornets nest of other things I'll be wanting to write about, so I'll try and get a couple of other posts up today.

As for the rumors, the big news this morning is Tracy Ringolsby's report of the Rockies offer to Aaron Cook for three years, $30 million. This comes on the heels of Jake Peavy signing a similar under market extension with the Padres, albeit with more money attached for the Cy Young winner and more total years if you include his previous extension. Whispers out of Arizona are saying that the D-backs are going to try a similar path with Brandon Webb.

I've seen this pattern before, you might recall that this is a similar pattern to what led the Rockies to get Jeff Francis to sign his current contract -Peavy got his first, Webb second, Francis third, with Matt Cain signing a similar deal with the Giants right around the same time- and all four were locked in through their arbitration years plus. The teams of the NL West seem to be in lock-step with each other at times, and it becomes no wonder that the division is so tightly packed at the top.

LaTroy Hawkins might be back in Purple pinstripes yet, as the Rockies have apparently warmed to the idea of more than one season on his contract after rumors of heavy Rangers interest sprouted last night. Troy Renck also speculates about the Marlins possibly being open to acquiring Jamey Carroll, which is laughable -particularly considering that Carroll would be Florida's highest paid position player for 2008 at that point and just under Kevin Gregg's $2.5 million for tops on the team. I would die of shame if that was true of my club. The Fish have been gutted.

Other NL West rumors have the D-backs offering a package of six players, including closer Jose Valverde for the A's Dan Haren. It's an interesting offer with three over-hyped position players in Carlos Gonzalez, Alberto Callaspo and Emilio Bonifacio who I have a real hard time envisioning in everyday roles on a contender. Gonzalez has the tools necessary, apparently, but the Diamondbacks wouldn't have extended Eric Byrnes last season if they were so certain those tools would translate against top flight pitching. The three pitchers include two relievers -albeit a good late inning one in Valverde and a potential late inning one in Nippert- and one promising arm in Anderson who, though he's got some potential, is a risk and still two to three years away from contributing at the Major League level. If I were Oakland, I don't think I'd do this deal, but I'll admit I don't know how much personal bias and hope that the Diamondbacks don't get any better plays into that.

Also from Arizona, there was this interesting possibility that Micah Owings could back up Conor Jackson at first until Chad Tracy recovers from surgery. It's a creative way of using Micah's talents, I'm curious how it would work out.

The Padres are looking at trading for a couple of my old school chums in Mark Prior and Anthony Reyes, as well as being keen on the Astros' Luke Scott. Apparently the 'Stros want catching prospect Nick Hundley for Scott, which I find interesting because catching was perhaps the one strength of Houston's farm heading into 2007, but after Max Sapp and Ralph Henriquez tanked at the plate this past season and concerns over Sapp's weight might force him to move to first, top prospect J.R. Towles is about all that's left at that important position. By the way, word is that the Astros want
a starter and reliever for Chris Burke and not Clint Barmes. Ed Wade's not going to get what he wants here, but neither are we.

The Dodgers had what the Marlins really wanted for Cabrera but they wouldn't part with Kemp, Kershaw and Loney. I can't fault them for that. They are one of the teams hot after Hideki Kuroda right now, and might still make a big trade this winter and not lose much as their system remains pretty well loaded.

The Giants had surprisingly strong interest in Toronto's offer of Alex Rios for Tim Lincecum, I say surprising because Rios wouldn't be nearly enough to turn around the fortunes of San Francisco in 2008.

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http://www.purplerow.com/story/2007/12/5/85739/6676

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Jays reluctant to surrender pitchers

post from MLB News Blog on 05 December 2007 08:54:33 AM. © MLB News Blog

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Trading Cabrera and Willis

post from FishStripes on 05 December 2007 08:53:39 AM. © FishStripes

It's not a done deal yet, but more on that later.

If you are one of those who didn't like the deal, there wasn't much to like. The Marlins traded the faces of the franchise, the biggest box office draws, the last remain players from the 2003 World Series Championship team, the heart of the team and not to mention two players who played in the All-Star games for prospects. That is not is not exactly endearing to the soul.

When I read the news of the potential trade I was sad bordering on mad. I guess I had prepared myself for Cabrera and I knew that Dontrelle wouldn't last the season with the Marlins but I was never prepared to lose them both in fell swoop.

It didn't help that I was driving home from work and I was listening to one of the call-in shows on XM Radio's Home Plate. All of the callers were Tiger fans and they were elated, and if I were a Tiger fan I would be too.

Most of the calls went like this:

caller: This is great day for Detroit Tiger baseball, getting Cabrera and Willis. This should propel us to win the division and possibly the World Series.

host: What do you think about the prospects the team gave up?

caller: They are good players but are just, as you say, prospects. And the Marlins are very good at developing prospects since there is no pressure to win down there. They can pitch more innings and get more at bats with no pressure whatsoever and it will be better for them.

Me (screaming at the radio): The Marlins are not the instructional league for the majors. They have won the World Series, twice, since you last did, you bozo.

host: That's a good point.

Me: What?!? No it's not!

caller: I think this a Win-Win trade. The Tigers get a HOF type bat and more pitching and the Marlins get more prospects to develop.

Me: It's not Win-Win, you idiot. It's a Win-Wait and see trade.

host: The best trades are the Win-Win kind. Glad to hear it.

Me: Someone kill me now.

Just like in the past, whenever you trade star players coming into their prime for prospects, no matter how highly touted, initially you are on the short end of the trade. I don't care where they are ranked by Baseball America, some work out, some don't.

Did the Marlins make themselves better yesterday for next season, no. I've looked at the list and I can't find one person who is going to have 588 AB, .320 BA, 34 HR and 119 RBI. Also there is no one on that list who will throw 200+ innings, or at least I hope not.

Of course, over time, the kids may work out and be everything they are hyped to be. And I hope they do. But for now, it is just like the trades in 2005, some of the players could make a favorable impact early on, or it may take some time, if they ever do.

We have been here before. It may not be our favorite place to be, but we know how to handle it.

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http://www.fishstripes.com/story/2007/12/5/75615/6450

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More on the Trade

The trade hasn't been finalized but if everything goes well, it should be today.

Though neither the Tigers nor Marlins officials were commenting on the record about their agreement on an eight-player mega-trade, expected to be announced Wednesday pending review of medical records, the aftershocks were already shaking the rest of the league and officials at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center.

Hopefully the Marlins medical team will look closely at the records, I'm getting tired of some prospects throwing about three pitches and then ending up in a waiting room in Alabama.

I was going to do the requisite blog post about the possible new Marlins, but then I thought, why?

The only one I have ever seen play is Miller and I didn't pay that much attention to him at the time. So instead of me writing something, I present three different opinions.

Maverick's take

Mbaamin initially linked to this in the comments:

MLB's Jonathan Mayo's take

Finally, (and I think this one may require a subscription)

ESPN's Keith Law's take

If you are able to read all three, you get to learn many contradictory things. For example: De la Cruz's curve ball is outstanding, plus or only average depending one which on you believe.

If he shows up in the majors, then we will determine how good it is.