Kid Cleveland

Well, you can't accuse the Detroit Tigers of not being aggressive in the trade market.

For the second year in a row the Tigers have made a blockbuster trade to strengthen their ballclub. On Tuesday the Tigers agreed to send their top two prospects in pitcher Andrew Miller and centerfielder Cameron Maybin along with four others to the Marlins for both starting pitcher Dontrelle Willis and outfield/third baseman Miguel Cabrera. Last year they traded three pitching prospects to the Yankees for Gary Sheffield.

How huge is this deal for Detroit? Consider the fact that so far in his career the 24-year old Cabrera's production at the plate has him on a direct path to the Hall of Fame. According to the website baseball reference, Cabrera's stats through the age of 24 compare quite favorably to Hank Aaron, Ken Griffey Jr., and Frank Robinson through similar points in their respective careers.

Clearly, hitters this young and talented do not become available very often. If there is a silver lining, at least the trades of the past two years more or less raided the Detroit farm system's cupboard bare.

So why didn't the Indians get involved in the trade talks for Cabrera you wonder? According to a few web rumor sources, the Indians did inquire the Marlins about what it would take for Cabrera, but the Indians quickly backed off when Florida wanted the package to start with Asdrubal Cabrera, Adam Miller, and likely Franklin Gutierrez as a starting point. I know…what a shock to hear the Indians balk at giving up a top prospect or two.

Isn't Cleveland and Detroit roughly the same market type? Aren't the Indians the team with some extra playoff revenue at their disposal? So why the hell are we always the stingy ones?

Here's to seeing Miguel Cabrera getting plugged in an already loaded Tigers line-up with the likes of Magglio Ordonez, Sheffield, Curtis Granderson, and a slew of other. There is no easy out in Detroit this year. Jeez, and we thought it was gonna be tough for the Tribe to re-peat the Central Division as is.

So what do you think? Do the Indians have the stones to make a move of their own or will they stand pat and make a couple of small deals which amount to the value of tinker toys? Keep in mind the talks for players like Jason Bay and Alex Rios are currently considered dead. Either way, the pressure is on Tribe GM Mark Shapiro and the Dolan family to put that playoff money to use and make a counter move.