Dodgers sign Andruw Jones

Intending to make a splash and counter their cross-town (okay, cross-county) Angels’ free-agent signing of Torii Hunter, the Dodgers have announced they have come to terms on a two-year, $36.2 million deal with free-agent center fielder Andruw Jones.

Besides bringing Andruw’s star power to Dodger Stadium, the signing is puzzling for multiple reasons. First, the Dodgers are just one year into a five-year deal with the one-dimensional Juan Pierre who can rack up the stolen bases, but is otherwise only good for 200 punchless hits and a low on-base percentage. With their ability to copy their rival Angels’ tendency to stock up on free-agent centerfielders, a problem is posed in the Dodgers’ outfield as they now have too many outfielders looking for playing time. Suppsedly, Jones will be the starting centerfielder, with Pierre competing with Andre Ethier in left field. However, if Pierre presents a block in the development of either Ethier or Matt Kemp, then the Pierre contract looks like an even more poor decision.

Also, considering the decline of Jones’ offensive numbers- dropping from a .263 average and 51 home runs in 2005 to a .222 average and 26 home runs last year- the Dodgers would’ve been wise to include performance incentives in the contract. If Jones is indeed on the decline of his career, his signing will follow the Dodgers’ trend of giving contracts to players past their prime- Luis Gonzalez, Steve Finley- who will muck up the outfield situation at the expense of their younger players. With the division in the Dodgers’ clubhouse between the veterans and younger players, signing Andruw Jones may add fuel to the fire if the younger players are unable to find playing time.

If anything, the signing allows Andruw Jones a two-year opportunity to show that he deserves a long-term contract. Let’s see if he can take advantage of it.

Tigers finalize Cabrera, Willis deal from Marlins

The trade between the Tigers and the Marlins is now official.  By landing Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis, the Tigers have pulled off the biggest coup so far off the off-season.

Despite concerns about his ballooning weight, not enough accolades can describe Cabrera’s talent and skill.  Before the trade occurred, White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen was giving rave reviews over his friend Cabrera’s off season workout program.  “He’s lost 15 pounds,’ Guillen said.  “If you see him you’d be surprised.” Still just 25, Cabrera is one of the top young hitters in the game.  He has never hit below .294 in a full season, and last season set career highs in home runs (34) and RBIs (119).  Little wonder that Jim Leyland told a Marlins executive “We want Cabrera” at the winter meetings.  Cabrera will be inserted in the middle of a line-up that includes the underrated Placido Polanco, Carlos Guillen, MVP-runner up Magglio Ordonez, and the dangerous Curtis Granderson.  Although the Tigers currently have Brandon Inge manning the hot corner, Cabrera could easily supplant Inge but more likely he will fill the left field spot vacated by Craig Monroe, who was dealt mid-season to the Cubs.

Although Cabrera was the Tigers’ number one priority- Al Avila, a former Marlins scout who signed Cabrera is now a Tigers executive- the Marlins convinced Detroit to include Dontrelle Willis, who Florida had been dangling the whole off-season, as part of a trade package.  The sheen from Willis’s star has diminished over the past few years.  Just three years ago, Willis was the runner-up for the Cy Young Award, coming off a season with a 22-10 record and 2.63 ERA.  His win totals have decreased since then- from 12 to 10- while his ERA has risen, from 3.87 to 5.17.  Considering that they have both Willis and Cabrera through the 2009 seasons, they have two years to turn Willis’s decline around.  However, as pitchers don’t usually have a successful first year after they change leagues, I wouldn’t expect much from Dontrelle in the Tigers rotation in 2008.  He should put up very similar numbers to the past couple of seasons, at around 11 wins and an ERA over 5.00.

In trading Cabrera and Willis, the Marlins traded the heart and soul of their franchise.  As rookies, both players helped bring a second World Series title to South Florida in 2003.  After the slow defections of Derek Lee, Juan Pierre, and Josh Beckett, both Cabrera and Willis were the two big names connected with that championship squad.  Now the Marlins hope by dealing them they were able to obtain the nucleus of a future championship team.

In Cameron Maybin and Andrew Miller, the Marlins received two highly touted prospects from the Tigers.  Just 21, Maybin’s skill set has been compared to Eric Davis and he currently tops the Marlins’ depth chart to be the starting center fielder.  Considering his age, however, I wouldn’t be surprised if Maybin starts the season at Albuquerque, perhaps inheriting the center field spot mid-season.  If he spends much time in the majors in 2008, expect some growing pains from the former first-rounder.

Another former first-rounder, Miller was considered to be the top pitcher available in the 2006 draft, but fell to the sixth pick due to signability issues.  Just two seasons ago, the marlins had the makings of one of the league’s best young pitching staffs.  Now they are hurting for starting pitching, even more so now that Willis has been dealt.  If the Marlins keep the 23-year old around in the starting rotation all season, expect a trial by fire.  The Marlins’ offense isn’t going to be helping their pitchers out any so don’t expect a winning season from Miller wherever he may fit in the rotation.  Also, expect wildness from the six-foot-six left-hander, as he’s exhibited a high walk rate throughout his professional career.  In the end, though, Miller will prove that he has what it takes to compete at the big league level.

After missing the playoffs a year after reaching the World Series, the Tigers may have cemented their return to October baseball with this deal.  As for the Marlins, they’re always an after thought anyway, so they may not lose much traction in the standings.  They will get cheaper, and in a few seasons down the line, it may look like the talent swapped in this trade could prove to be a wash.