More on Cabrera

by craig on Nov 8, 2007 8:16 AM EST in News and Rumors

The Marlins putting Cabrera on the block seems to be the most enticing possibility for other teams this offseason, and for good reason.

At least 10 teams, including the Yankees, have contacted Florida looking to take Miguel Cabrera off the Marlins' hands.

The known ones are the Yankees, Dodgers, Angels and White Sox. The Red Sox could also be a potential suitor if Lowell doesn't re-sign.

First the Yankees.

The Yankees are interested in acquiring Cabrera to replace A-Rod, although the Marlins are insisting that either Joba Chamberlain, Phil Hughes or Ian Kennedy - preferably one of the first two - be included in any deal, likely with Melky Cabrera.

Brian Cashman has expressed his preference not to deal any of the three young pitchers, making it unlikely that the Yankees will land Cabrera this winter.

"I've been tested on those guys this week, during the summer at the deadline, and I'll continue to be tested on it," Cashman said. "Obviously the preference is not to make moves with our young pitching; it's as simple as that. But you can never say never. It's going to take a lot, I know that."

"It's pretty obvious which players we're not going to trade," Hank Steinbrenner told the Associated Press yesterday. "Chamberlain, Hughes and even Kennedy. Not for a position player.

"It's like Cashman said: You never say untouchable, but at least least-touchable."

If the three pitchers are truly off the table, I doubt Cabrera will find himself in pinstripes.

Next up the Dodgers.

The Marlins have their eye on Dodgers outfielder Matt Kemp, right-handed pitcher Chad Billingsley and left-handed pitcher Clayton Kershaw.

The Dodgers probably have the most to offer.

Then there is the Angels.

The Angels might have to consider giving up third baseman Brandon Wood, right-handed pitcher Nick Adenhart and one of their top two catching prospects, either Jeff Mathis or Hank Conger.

The Angels would probably have to throw-in one of their pitching prospects, also.

And the team that least fits the areas the Marlins are looking for, among the ones mentioned, is the White Sox.

The Chicago Sun-Times reported that right-hander Lance Broadway and left-hander Gio Gonzalez could be packaged with Fields in a deal with the White Sox.

Obviously that still leaves other teams, which aren't being speculated about at the moment.

Should the Marlins trade Cabrera I can almost guarantee, it won't come cheap. And nor should it.

Tweet Comment 2 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Dodgers or bust.

Superstud ready-now pitcher (Billingsley), superstud pitching prospect (Kershaw), plus-plus 3B replacement (LaRoche), and Kemp... well, Kemp is obviously going to become a star masher, but if the idea is to put him in center, I dunno how long he'd be acceptable defensively. But, as they say, his bat will play anywhere.

Getting all four would be unreal, made possible to think about only because of Coletti's previous blunders and apparent distaste for all things young and good. Since it's the Marlins, it's hard to imagine them not demanding both pitchers (or perhaps Elbert instead of Kershaw, if the Dodgers put their collective feet down; not a huge dropoff, and they're young enough that TINSTAAPP is still worth noting, but you'd stil rather have Kershaw). And that's good, since the pitchers have higher ceilings. So the question may come down to whether you take Kemp or LaRoche. They're both Opening Day starters, both conceivably at positions of need. And since everything we've seen and heard indicates the FO thinks upgrading infield defense is more important than centerfield offense, even though Kemp would do for the latter more than LaRoche for the former, I think that will be their target.

And honestly, if Kershaw was a little closer to the majors, I don't think you could draw up a better package. It's like Arizona and Dontrelle last year, except this time, it might actually happen.