Miguel Cabrera on the block?

[Little Slide Rooter]

Miguel Cabrera On The Trade Block?

By Mike Axisa [November 24 at 8:32am CST]

It's no secret that the Tigers are looking to cut down on future payroll, and to do so they've made both Curtis Granderson and Edwin Jackson available in trades. Lynn Henning of The Detroit News throws another name into the mix: first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

 

Henning says that nothing "irresistible" has been offered for Cabrera yet, and that GM Dave Dombrowski said "I'm not getting into any names," when asked about his first baseman. The Red Sox are looking to add a big bat, and we've already heard rumblings that they could turn around and move Clay Buchholz if they sign John Lackey.

 

Cabrera, still just 26, is about to enter year three of his eight year, $152.3MM contract. He's owed $126MM through 2015, so I guess we can rule out the small market clubs as trade partners. MLBTR readers discussed the idea of trade Cabrera earlier this month.

 

Yeah, I know the chances of him landing here are none-

[17 Seconds]

there is no way miguel cabrera can play outfield.

 

and i don't know if i want that contract anyways

[Sammy Sofa]

I'd rather empty the farm for Adrian Gonzalez if this indeed is the path Ricketts would be willing to go down.

[davearm2]

You don't need to empty the farm for a guy with that kind of contract.

[Little Slide Rooter]

and i don't know if i want that contract anyways

 

Contract Information for Miguel Cabrera

 

2009: $15 million, 2010: $20 million, 2011: $20 million, 2012: $21 million, 2013: $21 million, 2014: $22 million, 2015: $22 million, 2016: Free Agent

 

Its an ugly contract, but we'd be getting him for the entirity of his prime. He'll be 33 when the contract expires, this is a guy you can build a teram around. Weve got some great players, but we dont have an A Rod, or Pujols. This is the guy. One of the top 5 in the game.

[Sever82]

Miguel Cabrera On The Trade Block?

By Mike Axisa [November 24 at 8:32am CST]

It's no secret that the Tigers are looking to cut down on future payroll, and to do so they've made both Curtis Granderson and Edwin Jackson available in trades. Lynn Henning of The Detroit News throws another name into the mix: first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

 

Henning says that nothing "irresistible" has been offered for Cabrera yet, and that GM Dave Dombrowski said "I'm not getting into any names," when asked about his first baseman. The Red Sox are looking to add a big bat, and we've already heard rumblings that they could turn around and move Clay Buchholz if they sign John Lackey.

 

Cabrera, still just 26, is about to enter year three of his eight year, $152.3MM contract. He's owed $126MM through 2015, so I guess we can rule out the small market clubs as trade partners. MLBTR readers discussed the idea of trade Cabrera earlier this month.

 

Yeah, I know the chances of him landing here are none-

 

I would actually consider doing a three way deal involving Amaris Ramirez to a team like the Giants, Angels, Red Sox or some other club in need of a 3B. Get prospects from that third team and move those prospects to the Tigers along with maybe a prospect or two from the cubs farm system that is not Castro or Vitters. Cabrera wasn't the best at third on defense but I think he would ultimate be a better defensive option than Vitters at third and as a result i would convert vitters into an outfielder or maybe even keep him at 3B and let DLee walk and shift Cabrera to first after DLee is gone. Its doable in my opinion, if you're willing to trade Ramirez which i'd definitely be willing to do if it nets you cabrera because Cabrera is younger and hasn't had nagging injuries like Ramirez. Plus i think teams would definitely give up good value for Aram at this point eventhough he had an injury last year.

[Sever82]

and i don't know if i want that contract anyways

 

Contract Information for Miguel Cabrera

 

2009: $15 million, 2010: $20 million, 2011: $20 million, 2012: $21 million, 2013: $21 million, 2014: $22 million, 2015: $22 million, 2016: Free Agent

 

Its an ugly contract, but we'd be getting him for the entirity of his prime. He'll be 33 when the contract expires, this is a guy you can build a teram around. Weve got some great players, but we dont have an A Rod, or Pujols. This is the guy. One of the top 5 in the game.

 

I totally agree and i dont think its an ugly contract, i think its a fair contract considering the level of talent and his age. I highly doubt they shop him though because they'll lose a lot of attendance if they ship out Cabrera and Granderson in the same season.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Deal with the outfield defense for 1 year then move him to 1B.

[Sever82]

Deal with the outfield defense for 1 year then move him to 1B.

 

The thing that sucks is that Dlee wont wave his no trade clause. If he would wave it, then the cubs can get more prospects for him and try to get Cabrera now. But Ricketts would either want the same amount of money going out that would come in. Or he'd decide he'd be willing to eat the salary this year to get a player like cabrera.

[davearm2]

I haven't heard anything about it lately, but wasn't weight/conditioning a big red flag with this guy awhile back, around the time the Marlins were shopping him?

[CubColtPacer]

and i don't know if i want that contract anyways

 

Contract Information for Miguel Cabrera

 

2009: $15 million, 2010: $20 million, 2011: $20 million, 2012: $21 million, 2013: $21 million, 2014: $22 million, 2015: $22 million, 2016: Free Agent

 

Its an ugly contract, but we'd be getting him for the entirity of his prime. He'll be 33 when the contract expires, this is a guy you can build a teram around. Weve got some great players, but we dont have an A Rod, or Pujols. This is the guy. One of the top 5 in the game.

 

What makes Cabrera better than Prince Fielder? Or Mark Teixeira? Or possibly even players like Joey Votto, Adrian Gonzalez, or Ryan Howard?

 

If Cabrera is a top 5 talent, then he is only barely there over a dozen other players in the league. Several of them don't have contracts that are worth 20 million per year. Cabrera likely still would be worth 20 million in free agency. But he isn't worth 20 million+top prospects being given up.

 

It's likely a fair deal, but you don't trade lots of talent to acquire a fair deal when there are countless other options that can play 1st base and give you the same value as Cabrera or just a little less.

[Sever82]

and i don't know if i want that contract anyways

 

Contract Information for Miguel Cabrera

 

2009: $15 million, 2010: $20 million, 2011: $20 million, 2012: $21 million, 2013: $21 million, 2014: $22 million, 2015: $22 million, 2016: Free Agent

 

Its an ugly contract, but we'd be getting him for the entirity of his prime. He'll be 33 when the contract expires, this is a guy you can build a teram around. Weve got some great players, but we dont have an A Rod, or Pujols. This is the guy. One of the top 5 in the game.

 

What makes Cabrera better than Prince Fielder? Or Mark Teixeira? Or possibly even players like Joey Votto, Adrian Gonzalez, or Ryan Howard?

 

If Cabrera is a top 5 talent, then he is only barely there over a dozen other players in the league. Several of them don't have contracts that are worth 20 million per year. Cabrera likely still would be worth 20 million in free agency. But he isn't worth 20 million+top prospects being given up.

 

It's likely a fair deal, but you don't trade lots of talent to acquire a fair deal when there are countless other options that can play 1st base and give you the same value as Cabrera or just a little less.

 

 

Very true but to me Gonzalez isn't better than Cabrera and Fielder is pretty much on par with Cabrera. But eventhough Cabrera has a huge contract, wants the difference with getting cabrera now, who is locked up for a fair market contract. Then getting Fielder or Gonzalez who aren't locked up but who will be up for extensions soon and will demand similar contracts.

[MSG T]

I know, I know, but...

 

Start at Bradley/Fox for Cabrera. Gets a ton of future money of their books, and get them a decent bat for a couple of years. I know they probably wouldn't take it, but, not having to eat any of Bradley's contract would clear a big chunk of the money ( for the Cubs)for Cabrera this year, then with the money coming off next year, they're in better shape. They may want some really good prospects, but with that contract, they'll be limited in what they can get if they want it all of the books.

 

Plus, he's young and good. Not the best contract, but even at the years and dollars, it's nowhere near as bad as a Soriano/Wells contract.

[MSG T]

I know, I know, but...

 

Start at Bradley/Fox for Cabrera. Gets a ton of future money of their books, and get them a decent bat for a couple of years. I know they probably wouldn't take it, but, not having to eat any of Bradley's contract would clear a big chunk of the money ( for the Cubs)for Cabrera this year, then with the money coming off next year, they're in better shape. They may want some really good prospects, but with that contract, they'll be limited in what they can get if they want it all of the books.

 

Plus, he's young and good. Not the best contract, but even at the years and dollars, it's nowhere near as bad as a Soriano/Wells contract.

[jersey cubs fan]

What makes Cabrera better than Prince Fielder? Or Mark Teixeira? Or possibly even players like Joey Votto, Adrian Gonzalez, or Ryan Howard?

 

If Cabrera is a top 5 talent, then he is only barely there over a dozen other players in the league. Several of them don't have contracts that are worth 20 million per year. Cabrera likely still would be worth 20 million in free agency. But he isn't worth 20 million+top prospects being given up.

 

It's likely a fair deal, but you don't trade lots of talent to acquire a fair deal when there are countless other options that can play 1st base and give you the same value as Cabrera or just a little less.

 

That's a really weird post. considering you are comparing him with guys who either already make more than $20m a year, or pre-free agency guys who are going to get huge contracts themselves. How do you propose the Cubs go about acquring these countless other options?

 

There aren't countless options. There's a finite numbers of true impact bats, and the Cubs don't have them and they won't have access to them. I mean I can see not wanting to trade the farm for a guy, but you are acting as though the Cubs have the opportunity to acquire any number of similar players for far less, when they really won't. Maybe one or two will actually hit free agency, but then you're competing with deeper pocketed teams.

[Sammy Sofa]

I know, I know, but...

 

Start at Bradley/Fox for Cabrera.

 

That's insane.

 

Bradley is not likely to be an asset in a deal like this and Fox would be a last minute add-on at best. For someone like Cabrera you start with players or prospects that people actually want.

[MSG T]

I know, I know, but...

 

Start at Bradley/Fox for Cabrera.

 

That's insane.

 

Bradley is not likely to be an asset in a deal like this and Fox would be a last minute add-on at best. For someone like Cabrera you start with players or prospects that people actually want.

 

 

And I said they probably wouldn't take it. But it would depend on how bad they want to cut payroll. Not many teams can take on that contract, and even fewer have a need at his position and can take on that contract. If they're getting into bad financial shape, and NEED the money of the books, they may listen to an offer that's not a whole lot better than that.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Cabrera has consistency over Votto and Gonzalez, ability over Howard and Fielder, and age over Teixeira. He's been a Top 10-15 hitter in the game for 3 of the last 4 years, and he's 26 and locked up through age 32. That's what makes him worth his long term deal plus a trade package.

[jersey cubs fan]

Cabrera has consistency over Votto and Gonzalez, ability over Howard and Fielder, and age over Teixeira. He's been a Top 10-15 hitter in the game for 3 of the last 4 years, and he's 26 and locked up through age 32. That's what makes him worth his long term deal plus a trade package.

 

Yeah, his age would be an incredibly unique value if he really becomes available.

[CubColtPacer]

Cabrera has consistency over Votto and Gonzalez, ability over Howard and Fielder, and age over Teixeira. He's been a Top 10-15 hitter in the game for 3 of the last 4 years, and he's 26 and locked up through age 32. That's what makes him worth his long term deal plus a trade package.

 

I'm not a fan of giving so much value for a 1B when there are always 1B options out there that can give you 50-100 points less of OPS (and I realize I'm generalizing offensive value using OPS) and are not that highly sought after. There are several other impact bats that you could possibly find a better deal with a little patience. And if the Cubs want elite bats right now, I'd even take a gamble on consistency with Votto and Gonzalez knowing that the Cubs would save between 25-40 million on the deal rather than pay Cabrera in both premium prospects and cash.

 

If I'm going to trade the farm (say 3 of the top 5 prospects including Castro) then I want a guy like Hanley Ramirez who is likely going to upgrade your team at least 125 points and often 200-250 points over the SS options who are available year to year on the trade and free agent market. Hanley is a rather unique player in the league. Cabrera is most certainly not.

 

And that doesn't even begin to address the fact that the Cubs will have to take a huge hit defensively to get Cabrera and Lee in the same lineup this year. The Cubs don't even have a desperation factor for a 1st baseman..why pay absolutely top dollar right now for one?

 

I'm not completely opposed to trading for Cabrera. But I probably wouldn't trade nearly the talent that they would want.

[sneakypower]

i'd give up just about our entire farm minus Castro to get Cabrera, even coupled with his contract

[jersey cubs fan]

And if the Cubs want elite bats right now, I'd even take a gamble on consistency with Votto and Gonzalez knowing that the Cubs would save between 25-40 million on the deal rather than pay Cabrera in both premium prospects and cash.

 

That's nice, but how do you propose accomplishing that one? Their teams aren't exactly giving them away, and neither is a free agent or soon-to-be free agent. If Cabrera is available you look into it because he will likely be the best player they have a chance to acquire and the best player on the team for several years. You don't pass on an impact bat because you have your eyes on a division rival's best player who is 4 seasons away from free agency. If you can get Cabrera now, you have his services now.

[CubColtPacer]

And if the Cubs want elite bats right now, I'd even take a gamble on consistency with Votto and Gonzalez knowing that the Cubs would save between 25-40 million on the deal rather than pay Cabrera in both premium prospects and cash.

 

That's nice, but how do you propose accomplishing that one? Their teams aren't exactly giving them away, and neither is a free agent or soon-to-be free agent. If Cabrera is available you look into it because he will likely be the best player they have a chance to acquire and the best player on the team for several years. You don't pass on an impact bat because you have your eyes on a division rival's best player who is 4 seasons away from free agency. If you can get Cabrera now, you have his services now.

 

I sincerely doubt either Gonzalez or Votto are unavailable if teams are willing to empty the farm to get them. Gonzalez especially has been rumored to be available for the right price.

[davearm2]

What makes Cabrera better than Prince Fielder? Or Mark Teixeira? Or possibly even players like Joey Votto, Adrian Gonzalez, or Ryan Howard?

 

If Cabrera is a top 5 talent, then he is only barely there over a dozen other players in the league. Several of them don't have contracts that are worth 20 million per year. Cabrera likely still would be worth 20 million in free agency. But he isn't worth 20 million+top prospects being given up.

 

It's likely a fair deal, but you don't trade lots of talent to acquire a fair deal when there are countless other options that can play 1st base and give you the same value as Cabrera or just a little less.

 

That's a really weird post. considering you are comparing him with guys who either already make more than $20m a year, or pre-free agency guys who are going to get huge contracts themselves. How do you propose the Cubs go about acquring these countless other options?

 

There aren't countless options. There's a finite numbers of true impact bats, and the Cubs don't have them and they won't have access to them. I mean I can see not wanting to trade the farm for a guy, but you are acting as though the Cubs have the opportunity to acquire any number of similar players for far less, when they really won't. Maybe one or two will actually hit free agency, but then you're competing with deeper pocketed teams.

There are impact bats available every year in free agency, and you can get just about any of them by offering the sort of contract Cabrera's got. This year you've got Holliday and Bay. Obviously those guys don't require any prospects, just a draft pick.

[Cubswin11]

I wonder if Lee would waive his NTC to go to Detroit for a year? He could be part of a deal for Cabrera, it gives the Tigers a cheaper option at 1B and he is a FA after next year and likely to be a type A so they would also net a draft pick (potentially).