Big Pickup

On December 5, 2007 the Detroit Tigers made an unexpected deal with the Florida Marlins.  The Marlins agreed to trade two big time players, Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis to the Tigers.  In return the Marlins acquired six players from the Tigers including lefty Andrew Miller, outfielder Cameron Maybin, Mike Rabelo, Burke Badenhop, Eulogio De La cruz and Dallas Trahern.  The Marlins were the team to initiate the deal.  It seems that this deal follows in suit with the year's following Florida's 2003 championship team.  Cabrera and Willis were the last players left from this championship team.  The Marlins seem to trade players just as they are due to earn large salary increases. The Marlins have been looking to secure the ability for a new ballpark but have been unable to.  This may be a very likely reason as to why the Marlin's have been getting rid of their players with larger salaries or raises to come.  In turn it is safe to assume that the Marlins are hoping that if they can secure this new ballpark that the media's publicity will be more positive towards the team.  Thus an increase in positive media will lead to an increase in the number of fans that are attracted to the team and to the stadium.

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December 5, 2007 -- NASHVILLE - The Tigers reached a preliminary agreement yesterday to acquire All-Stars Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis from the Marlins for a package of six players, an unexpected blockbuster trade that developed quickly at the Winter Meetings.

In a 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.