The Sandspur

Issue date: 2/28/08 Section: Sports

A weak free agent class forced general managers to revisit the old fashioned way of acquiring players: the trade market. This off season saw movement of several superstars, as well as very solid players. With spring training now underway, here are the top five moves made this off season. (Note: Several big names were left off this list. These listed were the best moves, not necessarily the biggest moves.)

New York Mets acquire SP Johan Santana for OF Carlos Gomez, P Deolis Guerra, P Philip Humber, and P Kevin Mulvey.

It is difficult to classify this move as anything but a steal for the Mets. They, desperately needing an ace after last season's collapse, secured the best pitcher in the major leagues for the next six seasons.

The only drawback for this trade was that Santana plunked Carlos Beltran in an inter-squad game during spring training. Of course, that's nothing, as this move solidifies the Mets as the National League East favorites.

Detroit Tigers acquire 3B Miguel Cabrera and P Dontrelle Willis for P Andrew Miller, OF Cameron Maybin, C Mike Rabelo, P Eulogio de la Cruz, P Dallas Trahern, P Burke Bradenhop.

The Tigers paid quite a bit to obtain Cabrera and Willis, but it was well spent. Cabrera, 25, is one of the best young hitters in baseball, and if it were not for Albert Pujols, Cabrera would be better recognized. As for Willis, he gives the Tigers another solid arm in a rotation stacked with guys who can throw 200+ innings.

To acquire these young studs, the Tigers had to part ways with Maybin and Miller, two former first round picks. Maybin is earning accolades as a do-it-all center fielder, while Miller, who does not have the repertoire to be a major league pitcher yet, should be one of the better left handers in a few years. If one of those arms pan out, the Marlins will be looking pretty good in 2011.

New York Yankees re-sign 3B Alex Rodriguez to a 10-year, $275 million contract.

History will show Rodriguez to be the best right handed hitter in baseball. It is difficult the fathom otherwise, even considering Rodriguez's young age, 32. He became the youngest hitter with 500 home runs last season, and he should surpass Barry Bonds's all-time mark by 2014.

A criticism against Rodriguez is that he has never won a World Series. Well, neither has Ted Williams and Yogi Berra has 10 World Series rings. A great player is not made by the number of championships he has won. Some people also criticize Rodriguez's lack of postseason production. They fail to note, however, that his batting average in the postseason is higher than that of Craig Biggio (.234), Mickey Mantle (.257), and Joe DiMaggio (.271). These players have successfully escaped the nickname "choker."

Continued...

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