Don't misunderstand me. I don't want A-Rod...

...but I do want him if the alternative is Miguel Cabrera.

Crazy? Oh hells yes. I pondered whether to make this public, though unfortunately pondered so out loud while discussing the 3B issue with Randy. And what the boss says? Yeah. You gotta do it baby.

Miguel Cabrera has been (more or less correctly) described as:

• lazy
• "playing-shape-challenged"
• poor defensively
• I dunno, probably some other things.

Now granted, in that list, the first one is going nowhere, and we have the second (if, potentially, in a slight decline).

I don't think it's that much of a stretch to say, if A-Rod doesn't tear, rip, tweak, or pull a muscle (and of course, these are risks with any player), he IS the kind of player who works hard enough on himself and on his game to remain playing >150-155 games per season until he's 40. And not just play that many games, but also play them at a non-1B position and not "kill you on defense".

Also, consider this. I think A-Rod would be content to come in and just play. Could it be a bit awkward or frosty, especially with 'Tek? Absolutely. That's certainly a bit of a concern. However: if Miguel Cabrera comes in and starts throwing his weight around (metaphorically, though if it were literally that could be dangerous with him at this point), how is that going to go over in the clubhouse? Would guys like Curt Schilling, Kevin Youkilis, David Ortiz, all but publicly call him out for it? You bet your sweet behind they would, Sally.

The A-Rod contract: probably >$30M AAV/8-10 years. That's a long time. That's a lot of money. But then, consider this. In two years, Miguel Cabrera will be looking for the same kind of money, the same kind of years, at the age of 26 and (at his current rate of growth) 267 lbs. Take a guy like that to his age-34 or age-36 year? And if we don't sign him at that point, think about what we'll have given up for those two seasons.

Some have speculated (and it's been reported) that the Marlins are looking for Ellsbury + Lester OR Buchholz. Personally, I'm not sure if including Lester as a possible piece isn't wishful thinking on the part of somebody. I'm pretty sure the Marlins asked for Ellsbury and Buchholz specifically, with potentially some other parts mixed in.

Let's say, for the moment, that the package that the Marlins are looking for would be something like: Buchholz, Ellsbury, Lowrie, Hansen. Is it a lot? Am I potentially, overestimating? Maybe, though I think at least the inclusion of another offensive player is a distinct possibility. Even so, despite being good prospects, neither Lowrie nor Hansen  has a spot on the big league club anyway in a critical position (Hansen, of course, could be considered in the mix for a bullpen spot in the 6th/7th innings). So, do we really want to give up these 2-4 players for 2 seasons of Miguel Cabrera? Would having done so almost make it compulsory to meet whatever contract demands he has when/just before he reaches free agency?

...

Other 3B thoughts...

• I'm not sure I disagree with YFSF's analysis about the Sox already being on PR control.
• Offering Lowell 3 years, to me, is the minimum of what it would take. And I agree with Mr. Rotoworld Sidebar that they probably have to overpay slightly to get him to take 3 years. 3/$45M is my guess.
• Offering Lowell 3 years, allowing it to become public, means that Jed Lowrie isn't even considered to have an outside shot at 3B next season, and that may be just as well. Defensively, he seems like the kind of guy who'd be a bit stretched at SS in the ML, and if his arm is good enough, 3B might be the ONLY place for him to stick on our roster at any point. However, he's clearly not ready for that yet.
• I saw in the Lowell thread yesterday, the suggestion of Scott Rolen. He's played a full season in 1 of the last 3 years. 3 years at $12M per? Only real positive he offers over Mike Lowell is being a full year younger. And even then. Meh.