“Sometimes a player is available, but, he’s not available to you. There are teams that don’t like to trade in the division.”

…hmm,.that didn’t seem to stop Larry Beinfest and the Marlins in 2005, of course…

ESPN’s Buster Olney and Peter Gammons are reporting the same information on ESPN News.

…Update…6:25 pm…

Ken Rosenthal at FoxSports is reporting that the two sides have reached ‘a preliminary agreement.’

…Update…6:43 pm…

According to Peter Gammons at ESPN, the deal is official and will send Cabrera and Willis to Detrit for Maybin, Miller, C Mike Rabelo and three other prospects.

…Update…7:14 pm…

The Marlins will also get Burke Badenhop, Eulogio de la Cruz, and Dallas Trahern, writes the Detroit Free Press.

Miguel Cabrera

However, in a post to his blog for the Booth Newspapers in Detroit, Danny Knobler believes the Marlins are simply using the Tigers to force the Angels into upping their offer for Cabrera.

…this makes sense…i mean, certainly the Marlins could get the most talent by splitting up cabrera and willis in to separate deals…plus, the word from miami continues to be that the Marlins will only trade willis if they are blown away with an offer, so coupling him to cabrera makes even less sense…

…Update…3:15 pm…

“If the Tigers wind up getting Cabrera and Willis, it would be via separate deals,” blogs Joe Capozzi for the Palm Beach Post, while detailing how such a trade could be made.

According to Capozzi, the Angels have backed off trying to acquire Cabrera, since they refuse to part with two of Howie Kendrick, Jeff Mathis and Nick Adenhart.

…honestly, i’m starting to worry about the Tigers and D’Backs, who, from what i understand, are throwing their weight around the trade market, while looking for a starting pitcher…

…the buzz from Nashville has been that the Tigers have interest in O’s LHP Erik Bedard, A’s RHP Danny Haren and RHP Joe Blanton, and apparently willis, and are dropping miller and maybin in talks, as rosenthal suggests….

…additionally, the D’Backs are rumored to have interest in the same set of pitchers, as do the Mets, but can dangle OF Conor Jackson, OF Carlos Gonzalez, and newly acquired Chris Carter, among others, during their efforts…

According to Henson, the Marlins want OF Matt Kemp, 1B James Loney and LHP Clayton Kershaw.

…what has gotten in to the Marlins…it reminds me of the Chuck Lamar days in Tampa Bay…i mean, why not ask for Tommy Lasorda while they’re at it…

Henson also provides info on the relief-pitching market, and whether the Rangers may trade 3B Hank Blalock.

According to Heyman, the Angels have made two offers they were confident would get the deal done, such as Howie Kendrick, Jeff Mathis and of Nick Adenhart or Ervin Santana, only to have the Marlins repeatedly ask for more.

…that is a serious, serious deal…this, and a deal for Dontrelle Willis, and the Marlins could quickly be back in business…

Interestingly, Heyman lists the Mets among the seven teams who have expressed interest in Cabrera, who will cost a top young hitter, a catcher, a center fielder and pitcher.

…i think it’s quite clear the Mets do not have a package that meets that description, or, at least one that can match anaheim’s best offer…plus, getting cabrera means there is no chance of trading for a pitcher, which is the team’s top priority…

“The Marlins are less likely to trade left-hander Dontrelle Willis, who is in line to make $7 million or more next season. The former 22-game winner is coming off his worst year (10-15, 5.17 ERA), reducing his trade value, and his agent said he expects Willis to still be with the Marlins when spring training begins.

‘That’s my gut feeling,’ agent Matt Sosnick said. ‘I’m often surprised by the Marlins. They keep things close to the vest. But I would expect him to be back.’ “

…i’m sure everyone will love reading about a team deciding not to trade a player who’s value has seemingly plummeted.  granted, the two teams are in completely different situations, i’m just sayin’…

Frisarso cites a ‘league source’ as saying the Dodgers and Angels are the front-runners to acquire Cabrera from Miami.

Yesterday in the Palm-Beach Post, Joe Capozzi wrote that the Marlins have asked the Angels for 2B Howie Kendrick and RHP Nick Adenhart, along with another pitcher and an outfielder.  According to Frisaro, the Dodgers are expected to part with RHP Chad Billingsley, along with OF Matt Kemp, while 1B James Loney and 3B Andy LaRoche also have been mentioned.

…as i said yesterday, it’s sort of sad, not that i want the Mets to use their chips on cabrera, it’s just, even if i did want him, it’s sad to know the Mets would have zero chance to get him…that being said, go Angels…i’d like nothing more than to get cabrera’s bat out of the National League, and specifically the East…

…thanks to jason b for the link…

According to Capozzi, and his source, the Marlins have asks the Angels for 2B Howie Kendrick and RHP Nick Adenhart, along with another pitcher and an outfielder. 

…it’s sad, not that i want the Mets to use their chips on cabrera, it’s just, even if i wanted him, it’s sad to know the Mets would have zero chance…that being said, i’ll continue to post about him, because a) a miguel-less Marlins is relevant to the Mets, and b) if he goes to the Dodgers, or any other team in the national league, it’s relevant, as well…go Angels…

Earlier today on WFAN in New York, talk-show host Mike Francesa, who speaks regularly, off air, with Omar Minaya, had the following to say about Cabrera…

“I know the Mets love him.  I know Omar is in love with him.  But, again, it’s gonna be hard for the Mets to put together a package…Plus, the Mets need pitching, and the Mets don’t have any pitching to give up…I think Cabrera will be on the Yankees, the Mets or Red Sox.  I think he’ll be a north-eastern player, this year, on one of those teams…

“The only reason I say the Mets is because I know how much he loves him, I’ve had these conversations with him.  Omar is in love with this guy.  Again, he doesn’t want him for third base, he wants him in right field…He’s in love with him.  We’ve had conversations many times about this kid, and he loves him.  He’s in love with him.”

…so, wait, i just wanna be clear, mike, you’re saying he’s in love with him…i just want to be sure i heard that correctly…