San Diego Acquires Cameron Maybin

Cameron Maybin, the newest
Padre

• After the news broke a few hours ago that the Padres were talking to Florida about acquiring outfielder Cameron Maybin, the deal was finalized.  The Padres sent relievers Ryan Webb and Edward Mujica to the Marlins.  The 23-year old outfielder will slot nicely into San Diego's outfield, presummably in center-field.  Hopefully he can continue to improve and this would prove to be a nice deal by San Diego.  Webb is a lengthy reliever who has had terrific success in the major leagues (as all San Diego's pitchers do).  He has a 3.19 career ERA in just over 84 major league innings, and his K rate is decent at 6.7 K/9.  Mujica had two sub-4 ERA seasons after going to San Diego in 2009, and has terrific control (1.4 career BB/9).  The Marlins might have won immediately in this deal, getting two relievers who should shore up their bullpen.  The Padres take a gamble, giving up two quality relievers for a lottery ticket.  Maybin does have terrific potential though, so it may be worth the risk down the road.

Ramblings: Maybin, Kawakami, Uggla

• The San Diego Padres have approached the Florida Marlins about a possible deal for centerfielder Cameron Maybin.  Maybin is a terrific defensive center-fielder (+5.1 UZR in his career) and still is young with tremendous upside.  Florida received Maybin and Andrew Miller (who was traded yesterday) in the blockbuster trade for Miguel Cabrera a couple years ago.
• The Atlanta Braves have sent right-hander Kenshin Kawakami down to Double-A.  Kawakami put up a 5.15 ERA last year, and has now been demoted and removed from the 40-man roster.  Atlanta still owes him over $6.5M for next year.
• The Florida Marlins have broken off talks with second-baseman Dan Uggla, and a trade might be imminent.  Uggla would be a premiere bat on the market, and teams such as the Tigers have already said that they are interested in the powerful player.

Tigers Acquire Cabrera/Willis

The Detroit Tigers shocked the world today, moving prospects Andrew Miller, Cameron Maybin, Mike Rabelo, Burke Badenhop, Eulogio de la Cruz, and Dallas Trahern to the Florida Marlins in return for 24-year old third-baseman Miguel Cabrera and left-handed ace Dontrelle Willis. Detroit moved their number 1,3,7, and 11 prospects to Florida, but acquired two players who have superstar written all over them.

Cabrera hit .320 last year with 34 HR and 119 RBI, and is yet to eclipse 25-years old. He is going to be serious insurance for Magglio Ordonez, and will witness a huge rise in stats with Gary Sheffield batting directly after him. As for Willis, 2007 was a horrible year for the left-hander, going 10-15 with a 5.17 ERA. He is a career 3.78 pitcher, and is only 25 years of age.

Andrew Miller, the 22-year old phenom, was almost as good as Willis was last year. The good news? The right-hander had a 0.53 ERA in 30.2 innings-pitched. He will likely slot right into Florida's rotation next season. Detroit's number one prospect, Cameron Maybin, did terrible as a 20-year old major-leaguer, but has never hit below .304 in the minor leagues, and has a tremendous eye and decent speed.

Milwaukee Lets Jenkins Walk

The Milwaukee Brewers paid the $1M buyout in left-fielder Geoff Jenkin's contract, letting the 33-year old walk instead of picking up his $9M option. Geoff had a decent power year in '07, hitting 21HR's in 420 AB's. If I were to choose an early favorite, it would definantly be the Detroit Tigers, who have no left-fielder after trading away Craig Monroe and finding out that Cameron Maybin isn't quite ready for the major-leagues.