Will Magglio Be on the Block?

While the Philadelphia Phillies and their fans are probably wishing the 2008 season could go on forever, there are plenty of teams who are just as excited that the year is over and they can start looking towards 2009. The Detroit Tigers, for instance, are probably thrilled to have 2008 in their rear view mirrors.

After falling far below expectations, the Tigers are trying to figure out what they'll have to do to get back to the top of the AL Central next season, and possibly back to the World Series. They have a lot of holes to fill, and since they've given up so much young talent in recent years to land guys like Miguel Cabrera, they don't have many trade chips left to play. Which is why if they're going to make a big splash this winter, they're probably going to have to do it by trading one of their better players. Like, say, Magglio Ordonez.

One of the most interesting teams to watch at the winter meetings will be the Tigers. If it's true they are looking to cut payroll, then someone like Magglio Ordonez could become available. Ordonez, a .312 career hitter with seven 100-RBI seasons, will be paid $18 million in 2009 and has options for 2010 ($18 million) and 2011 ($15 million). If the Tigers are looking to regain some of the younger talent they lost in the Miguel Cabrera and Edgar Renteria deals, this is the player who can fetch them. Another player the Tigers are dangling is setup man Fernando Rodney. They are desperately looking for someone to close.

On the surface it doesn't seem to make much sense to trade one of the few players who actually lived up to expectations in 2008, but moving Ordonez may be the best thing for the Tigers. Maggs could not only bring back a Major League arm -- whether for the rotation or the bullpen -- but he could bring back a prospect or two as well.

With Miguel Cabrera slotted to be in the middle of Detroit's lineup for years to come, the Tigers can afford to sacrifice Magglio's production, and at his age there's no guarantee that production will return next season anyway. Of course, if the Tigers know this, then so does everybody else.

Still, even if they can't get that great of a package in return for him, it would be nice for Detroit to shed the $18 million off the books this season so they can sign some pitching help.