After big deal by Tigers and Marlins, others wait

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Detroit and Florida finished their eight-player mega-deal with surprising speed Wednesday, leaving Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis eager to start playing for the Tigers. For other teams, the winter meetings were mostly talk and little action.

Johan Santana was still with the Minnesota Twins as negotiations with the Boston Red Sox appeared to slow down. The New York Yankees, having said they were out of the Santana sweepstakes, were considering only minor moves.

There was no major news on Oakland's Dan Haren and Baltimore's Erik Bedard, two other starting pitchers who may be available in the trade market.

Colorado did move to re-sign Aaron Cook, closing in on a three-year, $30 million deal with their World Series Game 4 starter.

While pitching has been the focus of many teams, the Los Angeles Dodgers talked with St. Louis about third baseman Scott Rolen, who has feuded with Cardinals manager Tony La Russa.

"He asked to be traded. So I think under normal circumstances, if a guy doesn't want to be part of your situation, then you consider that. So inquiries have been made," La Russa said, sounding a bit like Don Corleone.

In the biggest trade of the off-season, the again-downsizing Marlins received a package of six players from Detroit, including two highly rated prospects: left-hander Andrew Miller and outfielder Cameron Maybin. The teams reached a preliminary agreement Tuesday.

"It's tilting, isn't it? It's not a good thing," said Minnesota manager Ron Gardenhire, whose team competes with Detroit in the AL Central. "There's very, very good teams in our division. Detroit obviously has really, really improved themselves, and they're pretty good to start with."

Florida also received catcher Mike Rabelo and right-handers Burke Badenhop, Eulogio De La Cruz and Dallas Trahern. Signed for $1,325,000 next year, Miller immediately became the highest-paid player on the Marlins.