The Tigers and Rays have agreed to the following trade:
Tigers send:
1B Miguel Cabrera (2012: $21m; 2013: $21m; 2014: $22m; 2015: $22m)
OF Andy Dirks (2012: $440k; 2013: year 3; 2014: arb; 2015: arb; 2016: arb)
LHP Andy Oliver (2012: $440k; 2013: year 3; 2014: arb; 2015: arb; 2016: arb)
Rays send:
SS/3B Hanley Ramirez (2012: $15m; 2013: $16m; 2014: $16m)
OF Matt Joyce (2012: $480k; 2013: arb; 2014: arb; 2015: arb)
Rationale will be posted shortly.
The Rays agree to this trade. Thanks to the Tigers for the successful (albeit arduous) trade discussions.
We agree to this trade primarily for strategic purposes. The Rays organization fully expects Hanley Ramirez to become a viable star in this league again, but we could not resist the consistency of Miguel Cabrera. Even in light of the recent injury to Victor Martinez, we fully anticipate the Cabrera will be able to put up MVP caliber numbers for the next several seasons in a Rays uniform.
The strategic purpose is simply that we are currently sans a 1B here in Tampa, and the upcoming 1B free agent market is particularly top-heavy. We anticipate that monster contracts will be doled out to the superstars on top, and then we will be in a dog-fight to attempt to secure a 2nd tier starter at 1st tier money. Therefore, we felt the decision was best to secure our 1B and settle for more of a role player at the SS position.
Joyce is another solid hitter that we hate to lose, but we felt that the package of Dirks and Oliver softened the blow. Oliver still has a chance to file in nicely with our army of young arms coming up through the ranks, and Dirks will be a suitable 5OF.
Overall, a very straight forward trade where I think both teams accomplished their goals.