Fansided

Top 25 MLB trades of all time

By Joshua Sadlock

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 09: Pitcher Noah Syndergaard #34 of the New York Mets delivers a pitch against the Miami Marlins during the first inning of a game at Citi Field on April 9, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 09: Pitcher Noah Syndergaard #34 of the New York Mets delivers a pitch against the Miami Marlins during the first inning of a game at Citi Field on April 9, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /
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SEATTLE, WA – JUNE 19: Miguel Cabrera #24 of the Detroit Tigers takes a swing during an at-bat in a game against the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field on June 19, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. The Mariners won the game 6-2. (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA – JUNE 19: Miguel Cabrera #24 of the Detroit Tigers takes a swing during an at-bat in a game against the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field on June 19, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. The Mariners won the game 6-2. (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images) /

11. Miguel Cabrera to the Tigers, 2007

  • Tigers get: Miguel Cabrera, Dontrelle Willis
  • Florida Marlins get: Cameron Maybin, Andrew Miller, Burke Badenhop, Mike Rabelo, Frankie De La Cruz, Dallas Trahern

The (then) Florida Marlins learned the hard way that six-for-two trades typically go in favor of the side receiving the two established MLB players. It is impossible to replace Miguel Cabrera through a trade — although teams like the Chicago White Sox are making smarter rebuilding trades than ever before.

Cabrera was a four-time All-Star in four full seasons with the Marlins. He debuted in 2003 at the age of 20 and ended the year winning the World Series after homering three times in the NLCS. In five seasons with the Marlins, Cabrera hit .313/.388/.542 with 138 home runs.

The writing was on the wall for the Marlins and they knew Cabrera would leave when he hit free agency. They attempted to get out in front of it and deal him with two full years of control. On paper, the package looked good. Andrew Miller was supposed to be a number-one starter and Cameron Maybin projected as a 20-20 threat in the big leagues. Neither materialized into a star in Miami.

With the Detroit Tigers, Cabrera has gone from one of the best players in the league to an all-time great player. He has two AL MVPs, a Triple Crown and four batting titles. While they have not been able to break through and win the World Series, Cabrera has gotten the Tigers there and to the ALCS twice more. His 500th home runs could come in 2018, with his 3000th hit following another year behind.

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