Detroit Tigers: 5 best moves in Dave Dombrowski era

Jun 13, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera (24) in the dugout against the Cleveland Indians at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

#1: Trading for Miguel Cabrera

It is hard to think of a more lopsided trade than when a young and emerging slugger from the Florida Marlins was brought onto the Detroit Tigers prior to the 2008 season.

You often see superstars going to other teams through free agency or trades at their peak or just past their peak, but Dave Dombrowski was able to fleece the Marlins of a young star that was still several years away from his peak.

Miguel Cabrera was just 24 years old when the Tigers nabbed him. That is an age when many players are making their Major League debuts, but for Miggy, he was already a five-year veteran and had won a World Series in 2003.

He had quickly developed into a star for the Marlins and hit 33 homers twice, and 26 and 34 before being traded.

Cabrera, along with Dontrelle Willis, came in the trade that saw Andrew Miller, Dallas Trahern, Eulogio De La Cruz, Burke Bradenhop, Cameron Maybin and Mike Rabelo head south. Only Miller has proven to be a reliable major leaguer, and that was just a recent transformation.

All Miggy has done for the Tigers since 2008 is hit 267 homers, hit over .300 every year here (except for his first–.292), lead the team to four playoff appearances (five if you count the 163rd game in 2009), become the first major leaguer since 1967 to win the Triple Crown and win the MVP twice.

The Hall-of-Fame is calling for Miguel Cabrera, even if he retired today.

And we have Dave Dombrowski to thank for that.

We will look at DD’s not so great moves next week at this time. 

Next: Tigers 2015 deals are not yet done