Behind the blockbuster trade that took Miguel Cabrera from Marlins star to Tigers legend

“It looked like they were going to make a deal, and it looked like it was going to be with Anaheim,” Dombrowski told The Athletic in a recent phone conversation.

But the two teams went back and forth on which young pitchers would be part of the deal. The Marlins, per Jayson Stark’s reporting at the time, were interested in Ervin Santana, Joe Saunders and Nick Adenhart.

Wrote Juan C. Rodriguez in the South Florida Sun Sentinel: “Had the Angels offered Howie Kendrick, Jeff Mathis, Nick Adenhart and Ervin Santana, Cabrera would be looking for Southern California real estate.”

The Angels, though, didn’t want to part with at least two of those pitchers unless they were getting more in return. Angels outfielder Reggie Willits also emerged as a possible option in the trade.

But as discussions dragged on, the Angels became “frustrated by what they felt were last-minute changes in Florida’s asking price.” At the time, Angels owner Arte Moreno indicated the Marlins twice increased their demands as the two sides closed in on a deal.

Today, Samson says the Marlins and Angels were indeed close to a trade. But the Marlins always had other things in mind.

“There were many teams interested,” Samson said, “but the team we focused on was the Tigers.”

Detroit Tigers slugger Miguel Cabrera becomes seventh MLB player with 3,000 hits, 500 homers

With a single against the Colorado Rockies on Saturday, Miguel Cabrera became the 33rd member of the 3,000-hit club and only the seventh player in major league history to achieve the milestone and hit 500 home runs.

He got No. 3,000 in the first inning against pitcher Antonio Senzatela, a fellow Venezuelan, by grounding an opposite-field single to right field.

Cabrera immediately raised his right arm as he headed toward first base. The crowd of 37,566 at Comerica Park gave him a rousing ovation and chanted “Miggy! Miggy!” while fireworks were shot out of the scoreboard. Rockies shortstop Jose Iglesias, who played with Cabrera on the Tigers, came over to give his former teammate a big hug.

One of 33 players with 3,000 hits.

Congrats, @MiguelCabrera! pic.twitter.com/0oWJHvmQ6A

— MLB (@MLB) April 23, 2022

Tigers’ radio broadcaster Dan Dickerson criticized Yankees’ manager Aaron Boone for walking Miguel Cabrera

With Detroit Tigers’ designated hitter Miguel Cabrera entering Thursday’s home game against the New York Yankees with 2,999 career MLB hits, there was a lot of pre-game discussion about Cabrera getting number 3,000 and joining several very small clubs. But Cabrera flied out in the first inning, then struck out swinging in the fourth and sixth. However, he got another chance in the bottom of the eighth, coming up with runners on second and third, two out, and his team up 1-0. But Yankees’ manager Aaron Boone instructed pitcher Lucas Luetge to intentionally walk Cabrera to load the bases, and that led to boos in the stadium, and to a lot of criticism from Tigers’ radio announcer Dan Dickerson (calling the game alongside analyst Jim Price):

Price says “They are not! No! They are! Oh, man,” and Dickerson says “Ron Gardenhire said Tom Kelly told him early in his career ‘Stay away from the intentional walk, especially of the big guys.’ Because it usually backfires, but also, Jim, because the people are coming to see that guy hit. Which I thought was interesting.”

Price then says “I thought it was interesting too. But, if you’re the manager of the Yankees, what are you going to do?” Dickerson says “Let him hit!” and Price laughs and says “Okay, sure.” Dickerson says “What a decision!” and Price says “Good luck, Yankees, getting on your team bus and getting out of here.” Dickerson says “Oh, man. That’s incredible. First of all, not many managers use the intentional walk any more. And this crowd is letting Aaron Boone know how they feel about it.” Price says “Are they saying ‘Boo Boone’?” Dickerson then lets out another “Aw, geez.”