Detroit Tigers Aquires Cabrera and Willis in 8 Player Swap

Two season ago the Tigers were playing for a World Championship. Last season they watched the playoffs from home. They made sure that didn't happen again as Detroit went out and reeled in two big fish; Lefty Dontrelle Willis and Third Baseman Miguel Cabrera from the Florida Marlins. The deal that is so far only in principle will catapult Detroit as the front runners of the American League Central, and possibly even the American League.

Detroit already boasted a young pitching staff of Justin Verlander, Jeremy Bonderman, and Nate Robertson, along with veteran Kenny Rogers. Adding Willis to that mix now makes Detroit arguably the best pitching staff in the American League, despite where Johan Santana ends up.

As far as offense goes, Detroit's lineup is monstrous from top to bottom. Returning to the team is AL MVP runner-up Magglio Ordonez, along with power hitters Ivan Rodriguez, Gary Sheffield, and Carlos Guillen. Add second baseman Placido Polanco, Curtis Granderson, and Edgar Renteria who was acquired last month in a trade with the Braves, and you have one hell of a line-up. With the acquisition of Renteria, Guillen was already moving from shortstop to first base, allowing Renteria to take over that slot. Now, with Cabrera in the fold, incumbent Third Baseman Brandon Inge will still have great value to the Tigers. Inge can DH once in a while, come off the bench to pinch hit and serve a backup in the Outfield, or at third, and even catch.

In this deal, the Marlins will receive outfield prospect Cameron Maybin, along with pitchers Andrew Miller, Eulogio De La Cruz, Dallas Trehern, Burke Badenhop, and Catcher Mike Rebelo.

In 2007, Maybin debuted for the Tigers appearing in 27 games. Miller was the top pick of the Tigers in 2006 and went 5-5 in 13 games in his rookie season.

Jim Leyland will now have a very intimidating roster going into Spring Training. Obviously the daily lineup card and rotation is his decision but opponents of Detroit may see something like this: