Miguel Cabrera Available, which leads me to ask if Granderson really is available

If the Tigers trade Cabrera, they save 20 M. What need, then, to trade Granderson or Jackson?

Comments

What I mean is this-

Cabrera was involved in some ugly end-of-season incidents. The article linked to above notes the questions about alcoholism. If the Tigers had decided after those incidents to dump Cabrera, it wouldn’t have been a bad idea to provide a cover for why they would trade him. If you lead up to the idea that you need to save money, floating other names first, then finally get around to Cabrera, it doesn’t look like you’ve decided to move him, but rather that maybe this is what you have to do.

Since it was ably shown that trading Granderson doesn’t make sense – maybe that view was right all along. The Tigers aren’t trading the inexpensive Granderson; they were setting the cover to get to the real issue – dumping Cabrera.

Is he traded yet?

by DGU on Nov 24, 2009 4:36 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

This is what always...

…didn’t make sense to me. Why trade Granderson, when you could save so much more by trading a guy who makes a boatload of dough and has had some off field problems.

"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel

by MPH73 on Nov 24, 2009 9:02 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

it's possible ...

that the Tigers don’t view trading Cabrera (and getting a good return) as realistic, considering the things you two have mentioned.

by elgato on Nov 25, 2009 2:26 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

To me it makes no sense to trade Cabrera

He is one of the best hitters in baseball, a franchise cornerstone who has already proven he can hit when it counts. Even after the ugly incident at the end of the season he came back and did everything in his power to win that game 163.

He might carry a big contract, but I don’t see why the Tigers would even think about dumping him. He’s a MVP candidate every season, he’s become a rock solid first baseman, and it seems like his problems (if they really are problems and not one overblown night of drinking) are fixable.

I agree with the premise that if they move him they don’t need to trade the other two, but if I’m Detroit I value Miggy much more than I do Granderson or Jackson.

Still Miles away from being Aaron free.

by nji232 on Nov 24, 2009 4:54 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Right -

If we’re just looking at this from baseball on-field perspectives, then Miguel Cabrera is a player you don’t trade. But what if off-field stuff went too far? Perhaps I’m just seeing this from the Cubs’ MB lens, but something’s up for a team talking about trading young star players like Detroit is.

Is he traded yet?

by DGU on Nov 24, 2009 4:58 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed, but Cabrera is a bit of a mystery.

If healthy, engaged, & fit, he’s one of the best hitters in the game. He’s turning into the next generations Manny, with behavior and belt expansion.

Remember how he was the skinny athlete in 2003 forced to play the OF because Third was occupied?

Now he’s the expanding mammal who may outgrow first and has Tiger fans concerned his size will lead to injury. Maybe Tiger management feels the same?

at daver's request, Let's frontload this B**ch!

by N Oakley on Nov 24, 2009 5:11 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I remember seeing him play for Kane County

I think he might have been around 16 and he was a shortstop. I think his weight would be my main concern with him, but I thought that was under control. If it isn’t that bothers me much more than the alcohol thing. Mostly because I think it was one night of fun that got out of control.

Still Miles away from being Aaron free.

by nji232 on Nov 24, 2009 5:41 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

IIRC

this was not the first time he had an alcohol incident

baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out

by Cubbie-Tim on Nov 24, 2009 8:49 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

WELL IT WAS MORE

than one night of heavy drinking . Cabrera had been warned by Tigers brass . ( That he was not allowed in the bar at the Mayflower Hotel ) . He chose to go there after he promised he would steer clear of it . Bet Tigers President Dave D. wasn’t happy when he had to go get Cabrera . Just wonder what his Blood Alcohol Level was when he reported to Comerica that afternoon ??

by cubs north on Nov 24, 2009 6:34 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Makes no sense, unless Detroit thinks his value only goes down from here

As a player and trade bait.

He is also a big salary that streches out further than Detroits other bad contracts, and if the goal is to get cheaper then retool the Tigers may need to move his contract.

by ClarkFan on Nov 25, 2009 9:26 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Cabrera has a huge contract

Like so big that it practically negates all surplus value he has.

by vivaelpujols on Nov 27, 2009 4:46 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

If they move Cabrera

that may actually increase the chances of them dealing Granderson in that, moving Cabrera, even though it would be a huge monetary saving, would be a bigger sign that they are going into a rebuild mode. Without Cabrera anchoring that lineup, they are better off cleaning house and restocking. As noted, their system, while better than a couple years ago, is still on the weaker side, with their top assets largely far away (Turner/Crosby).

That said, this sounds like spec from Lynn Herring. Also, keep in mind that the public stance has been that they aren’t moving for monetary reasons. Of course, Lynn was largely proven right on his Granderson spec.

by toonsterwu on Nov 24, 2009 5:34 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Now the Tigers have said they're not having a fire sale.

They could be lying about that.

If not, my theory that Cabrera is leaving for the same kinds of reasons MB is leaving still stands to suggest that the Tigers wouldn’t move Granderson. If they move Cabrera, they could move Guillen to 1B, sign Bay or Holliday and still be saving more money than if they moved Granderson.

Is he traded yet?

by DGU on Nov 24, 2009 6:02 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

even if

they are rebuilding, it doens’t make much sense to trade him. He’s young (26), locked up long term, and one of the best hitters of his generation. You’d never be able to get anything comparable for him, and unless they are trying to get to a sub-20 mil payroll, his is the last contract they should be moving.

Trading Granderson doesn’t make a lot of sense for the Tigers, but trading Cabrera makes even less sense. He’s young enough that he’d still be in his prime 5 years from now.

The only way it would makes sense to deal him would be if they fear he has a major alcohol problem. Even then, get him some help, don’t trade him. And if he gets fat, they’re in the AL, he can DH.

DEJESUS!!!

by tomas21 on Nov 24, 2009 6:33 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Granderson could still bring major-league ready players.

And there aren’t a lot of teams that can afford Cabrera.

They might be posturing.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al on Nov 24, 2009 8:12 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Angels and Red Sox would leap at the chance to acquire Cabrera

"Cubs will win 79 to 83 games." BLou (7/21/09)

by BLou on Nov 24, 2009 8:32 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Red Sox were the first team I thought of.

He’d just be Manny version 2.0

"Enough foreplay- let's get crackin'"- Fred Garvin

by davidalanu on Nov 25, 2009 6:03 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I agree with this

You build around a player like Cabrera you don’t build around a player like Granderson (at least I wouldn’t). If I’m the Tigers GM and I decide to trade Miguel, then I think I go full out Florida Marlins and move all three of Cabrera, Granderson, and Jackson.

Still Miles away from being Aaron free.

by nji232 on Nov 24, 2009 10:36 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Miguel Cabrera is immensely talented as a hitter, but...

his value has taken a definite hit. Detroit would be foolish to move him right now.

Cabrera can be as good as Frank Thomas in his prime. Which is very high praise. It’s just that he comes with troubling baggage. And it would be a dirty rotten shame to see alcohol destroy his career and life.

"Cubs will win 79 to 83 games." BLou (7/21/09)

by BLou on Nov 24, 2009 8:31 PM CST reply actions 3 recs

+1

Is he traded yet?

by DGU on Nov 24, 2009 9:17 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

rec

baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out

by Cubbie-Tim on Nov 25, 2009 2:00 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

IT'S A SHAME

that no one caught on to his heavy drinking . He has the talent but it is on the back burner . The Detroit media is going to follow any blunders he makes . Cabrera has to figure out is is the baseball field or the bottle . The Tigers are not to put up with anything that gives them a black eye .

by cubs north on Nov 25, 2009 6:05 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

My guess is the Tigers would try to trade Cabrera first

If they can get players that can help them win next year, they might be more inclined to keep Granderson.

If they decide to rebuild in their haul for Cabrara, this might be the best year to deal Granderson & Jackson. If you’re going to rebuild, might as well go all out in that direction.

"I'd rather hit home runs you don't have to run as hard." -- Dave Kingman

by BucknerKongCardenal on Nov 24, 2009 9:58 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I still don't understand how it makes sense to have Granderson and Fukudome in the same lineup.

That’s like 2 free outs for lefties.

Randy Wells. A product of the Roy Halladay School of Pitching, located in Toronto, Canada. Possible relocation.

by Cub Style on Nov 25, 2009 6:09 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Platoons are our friend

v. LHP Reed Johnson CF and Jeff Baker or Jake Fox RF.

Is he traded yet?

by DGU on Nov 25, 2009 7:04 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

RJ likely wont be resigned

IMHO

baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out

by Cubbie-Tim on Nov 25, 2009 2:00 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Other RH options if he doesn't.

Is he traded yet?

by DGU on Nov 25, 2009 3:16 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

And, as always...

…bear in mind that there are far more RHPs is major league baseball than LHPs.

Catch my act on Twitter as @dat_cubfan_dave.

by dat cubfan daver on Nov 25, 2009 3:09 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Trading Miguel has nothing to do with his personal problems

This is the first time he’s ever been involved in an indecent, and it hasn’t had anything to do with his teammates or the fans or the media. It’s simply a case of domestic problems that should have no effect on his value as a player.

The reason they want to trade him is that his contract is simply too large. As good of a player as he is, he’ll still likely fall short of being worth his contract.

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/miguel-cabreras-trade-value

by vivaelpujols on Nov 27, 2009 4:50 PM CST reply actions 0 recs