Sox can only watch as Tigers get stronger
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- As a relaxed White Sox general manager Kenny Williams was meeting with reporters in a comfortable corner of an Opryland Resort steakhouse Tuesday, AL Central rival Detroit Tigers pulled off a trade that was long on sizzle.
In a move that clearly establishes them as 2008 division favorites, the Tigers landed power-hitting third baseman Miguel Cabrera and starting pitcher Dontrelle Willis from the Florida Marlins in exchange for starter Andrew Miller, outfielder Cameron Maybin and four other prospects.
"The Tigers got better,'' Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said in a classic understatement.
Upon hearing news of the blockbuster deal, Williams maintained his cool demeanor and conceded nothing to Detroit.
"We have to try to be the best team we can be,'' he said. "It isn't always the team that has the most stars, the best offense or what have you. We showed that a few years back and have the ability to show it again.
"If it came down to talent on paper, then some of the bigger-market teams that annually spend upwards of $150 million would win it every year.''
Even though the White Sox are carrying two third basemen -- Joe Crede and Josh Fields -- Williams admitted he tried to pry the talented Cabrera away from the Marlins.
"I did not have a lot of optimism,'' he said. "I will acknowledge, yes, we did make a play for him, but that's not inconsistent with who we are.
"If there are impact-type guys out there, we go after them. But the package that ultimately it was going to take to get (Cabrera), we didn't measure up to what their particular needs were.
"Not that they didn't like our players, but sometimes it comes down to a position. Again, timing. When do you have the player the other club needs and can you make a play on him?''
The Sox would have included Fields in a trade for Cabrera, along with a pair of young starters from the group of John Danks, Gio Gonzalez and Lance Broadway.
In the end, the Tigers put together a package that landed Florida's two biggest fish.
Like Williams, Guillen wasn't overly disappointed about missing on Cabrera, who is one of his close friends.
"In my mind, I never thought we were going to get him,'' Guillen said. "What was out there was better than what we had. They (Marlins) turned down the Dodgers, the Angels, the White Sox, and all of a sudden the Detroit Tigers pulled the right trigger and the right people at the right time, and they did it. I'm not disappointed because I never counted on Miggy.''
It was a tough season for the Sox, who finished with their worst record (72-90) since 1989. So far, the off-season has been equally distressing.
While the White Sox are thrilled with the additions of shortstop Orlando Cabrera and relief pitcher Scott Linebrink, they still are stinging from missing out on center fielder Torii Hunter, who signed with the Angels.
"I was a little disappointed with Torii Hunter because I thought we got him,'' Guillen said. "Like I told you guys when the season was over, this is going to be a long winter for us. It's going to be a long winter for Kenny Williams.
"I think Kenny did everything in his power to get those two players. Unfortunately, that didn't happen and we have to move on and get better somewhere, somehow.''