2008 Woodie Awards
Winter baseball brings a flurry of off-season trading
Alex Leonard
Issue date: 12/10/07 Section: Maine Sports
If the Hot Stove was heating up before baseball's winter meetings began on Monday, it may just be on fire now. On Tuesday, the Detroit Tigers acquired prized third-baseman Miguel Cabrera from the Florida Marlins. The Tigers also received Dontrelle Willis in exchange for 22-year-old Andrew Miller and a highly regarded prospect: 20-year-old Cameron Maybin. Four other players were included in the deal with the Marlins.
Cabrera, 24, had a career best 34 homeruns and 119 runs batted in. The Tigers already traded for Edgar Renteria this off-season and could have potentially one of the best line-ups in the American League.
Possibly the biggest story so far this off-season - other than where Cabrera would end up - has been the Johan Santana situation. The Yankees were thought to be the front-runner, but a self-imposed deadline has left many wondering who will end up with the two-time Cy Young Award winner.
It appears as though the Boston Red Sox may have the right players to please the Twins. Minnesota has the luxury of weighing all its options because Santana is not a free agent until the end of the 2008 season. It is almost certain that Santana will sign elsewhere, leaving the Twins with a big hole to fill. Boston was able to re-sign World Series MVP Mike Lowell early this off-season, allowing them to focus on the Santana deal. Rumors have circled that the Twins want speedy centerfielder Jacoby Ellsbury, who took over late in the ALCS and helped the Red Sox win the World Series.
There has also been talk of sending pitcher Jon Lester to Minnesota. Lester successfully came back from cancer this season and there are obvious questions as to his health and durability. It was reported that the Red Sox gave the Twins Lester's health records. This could be a sign of a deal forthcoming. Further complicating matters is the Red Sox reluctance to give up Lester and Ellsbury. Sources have reported Boston offering Lester, Coco Crisp and two other minor leaguers for Santana.
Cabrera, 24, had a career best 34 homeruns and 119 runs batted in. The Tigers already traded for Edgar Renteria this off-season and could have potentially one of the best line-ups in the American League.
Possibly the biggest story so far this off-season - other than where Cabrera would end up - has been the Johan Santana situation. The Yankees were thought to be the front-runner, but a self-imposed deadline has left many wondering who will end up with the two-time Cy Young Award winner.
It appears as though the Boston Red Sox may have the right players to please the Twins. Minnesota has the luxury of weighing all its options because Santana is not a free agent until the end of the 2008 season. It is almost certain that Santana will sign elsewhere, leaving the Twins with a big hole to fill. Boston was able to re-sign World Series MVP Mike Lowell early this off-season, allowing them to focus on the Santana deal. Rumors have circled that the Twins want speedy centerfielder Jacoby Ellsbury, who took over late in the ALCS and helped the Red Sox win the World Series.
There has also been talk of sending pitcher Jon Lester to Minnesota. Lester successfully came back from cancer this season and there are obvious questions as to his health and durability. It was reported that the Red Sox gave the Twins Lester's health records. This could be a sign of a deal forthcoming. Further complicating matters is the Red Sox reluctance to give up Lester and Ellsbury. Sources have reported Boston offering Lester, Coco Crisp and two other minor leaguers for Santana.
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