Tigers In Talks to Acquirre Cabrera and Willis From Marlins

Bondo's problems were elbow related we shall see.

Tigers did this because evidently they have seen enough of Porcello since they signed him to know that he is the real deal and will probably be pitching in Comerica by 2009 at the latest so Miller became expendable.

Inge could get Vance Wilson's job.

Omar Infante got traded by the Cubs already:

ESPN - Braves add bullpen, infield depth in deal with Cubs - MLB

I think Rabelo and Wilson have the backup catcher position covered.

I know he sucked at the plate last year but heis a wiz defensively. Maybe he would embrace the utility role but I think he has too much talent for that too. I think he has a high contract so I don't think they will be able to move. I hope he is with us to start the season. Like to see him fill the back up role with this club all the way to the World Series.

Rabelo went in the trade and we don't know if Wilson's healthy PLUS Wilson's old

Rabelo gone in todays trade. Wilson missed all of last season due to injury - will he be right by next season? Big gamble if you're counting on him - unless he's already proven himself to be fully healed, which he hasn't to my knowledge.

Actually most of the guys are still in their prime. Pudge and Sheffield are the only old guys among the 9 starters.

All the other nine guys are 33 or under except for Mags who will be 34 when the season starts.

So while they are a bit on the older side I wouldn't say that they are old.

This could be one of the greatest offenses in history.

Inge can catch. He probably is a better defensive catcher than Robelo and Wilson and maybe even Pudge at this point in Pudge's career.

I say keep Inge. Like Laimbeer says, he's a good fill-in. Besides, he won't fetch much in pitching talent in a trade and at this point, there is nobody to package him with except for
Thames and who wants TWO guys that strike out all the time.

Exactly

You mean, besides the Tigers?

I didn't notice that initially. Wow, the Tigers gave up quite a bit in this deal. I guess the Tigers are now in the market for a backup catcher. I don't think Inge will be converted back to be a catcher.

Maybe this is why they were able to do the deal? Inge can play all the infield positions except pitcher. Maybe in subbing for guys on a nightly basis he gets the playing time he needs to be successfull? Maybe his versatility allowed them to make this deal?

They should try Inge in middle relief. That's an area where the Tigers have grown weaker.

He does have a Cannon for an Arm.

Wow. I gotta hand it to Dombrowski. On the surface, this seems like a great trade for the Tigers. Cabrera is a big time hitter who puts up spectacular numbers, and is only 24 years old. If he stays healthy, he could play third and hit in the heart of the lineup for the next 12 to 15 years. If he stays healthy he could even be a HOFer.

And Willis is a proven veteran starter, who's only 25. Again, he could be the 2nd or 3rd starter in the rotation for the next 10 years.

Amazing trade. Whatever Dombrowski makes, he's worth every penny of it.

You could be right. James Skelton and Devin Thomas are both at least 3 years away (2010) before they will be ready.

National media reaction to Tigers-Marlins deal - Detroit Tigers Cutoff Man - MLive.com

Here is a summary of all the analysis from other parts of the Country.


The fun part about this is that it isn't our money and we don't have to worry about going over the salary cap. It's just fun to have an owner and a GM who are this aggressive.