A- Rod or Miggy?

Although the season ended about two weeks ago, the off season really doesn't kick into gear until the GM meetings start. With two days in the books now, it is safe to say that the off season has offically begun. Day one brought us the mandatory A- Rod report, but day two is when the rumors really got good. A- Rod may be the best offensive third baseman, his stock may just have taken a big hit as the second best offensive third baseman just became availible, Miguel Cabrera. Of course "Miggy" is no A- Rod, but at only 24, he is almost as valuable. Cabrera still has three years remaining before he is eligible for free agency, and while his defense is atrocious, he is probably better suited for left field or first base, his 35+ homerun power and his .320 BA as a 24 year old is hard to come by. Despite being relatively cheap financially, he's going to garner a similar package of prospects as Johan Santana will. It has been reported that the Dodgers, Angels, and Yankees all have high interest in acquiring Cabrera, bad news for A- Rod who expected large offers from at least two of these teams. Basically Loria has made it clear that he wants a blue chip prospect, preferably a pitcher, and then some in return for Miggy. This would include Clayton Kershaw and Chad Billingsley of the Dodgers, Joba Chamberlain or Philip Hughes from the Yankees, and some one like Howie Kendrick or Brandon Wood, a SS who would probably move to third base, From the Angels. The and then some would be a James Loney Matt Kemp or Andre Ethier from the Dodgers, Ian Kenedy or Melky Cabrera from the Yankees, and a package of B level prospects from the Angels that would probably include catcher Jeff Mathis. Although the Angels would really like Cabrera, they are not going to move Howie Kendrick, and the Yankees have stated that they have no intention of trading any of their young pitchers. Without Kendrick the deal would be a tough one to make for the Angels, and the conversation begins and ends with Hughes and Chamberlain for the Yankees. This leaves LA who has to decide whether to pony up the big bucks for A- Rod, or the prospects for Miggy. In the end I think they make the right decision and trade Kershaw and Kemp for Cabrera.