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Philadelphia Phillies: Dave Dombrowski’s history of win-now trades

By George Stockburger

FT. MYERS, FL - FEBRUARY 17: Chris Sale #41 talks with Craig Kimbrel #46 of the Boston Red Sox during a team workout on February 17, 2017 at Fenway South in Fort Myers, Florida . (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)
FT. MYERS, FL - FEBRUARY 17: Chris Sale #41 talks with Craig Kimbrel #46 of the Boston Red Sox during a team workout on February 17, 2017 at Fenway South in Fort Myers, Florida . (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) /
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DETROIT, MI – SEPTEMBER 10: Miguel Cabrera #24 of the Detroit Tigers hits a sacrifice fly ball to drive in one run against the New York Yankees during the sixth inning at Comerica Park on September 10, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI – SEPTEMBER 10: Miguel Cabrera #24 of the Detroit Tigers hits a sacrifice fly ball to drive in one run against the New York Yankees during the sixth inning at Comerica Park on September 10, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images) /

Dave Dombrowski begins pulling off mega-deals with the Detroit Tigers.

Dave Dombrowski joined the Detroit Tigers front office in 2002 where he would make a game-changing trade that changed the franchise forever.

After four years of rebuilding, the Tigers made an improbably run to the World Series in 2006, ultimately losing to the St. Louis Cardinals. The team featured Ivan Rodriguez, a young Curtis Granderson, and Rookie of the Year Justin Verlander, but they needed more pieces to get over the hump.

On Dec. 5, 2007, Dombrowski pulled off a trade with his former team in Florida to acquire 24-year-old Miguel Cabrera and former Rookie of the Year Dontrelle Willis. Cabrera had reached the All-Star game in each of his first four full seasons and received MVP consideration in all five of his seasons with the Marlins.

Willis had all the potential in the world coming off a season where he was the runner-up to the Cy Young award in 2005. Despite having seven complete games that season, he followed it up with just 12 wins and a league-high 19 hit-by-pitches.

Detroit gave up the motherload of prospects, trading arguably their top two prospects Cameron Maybin and Andrew Miller in the deal. They also traded backup catcher Mike Rabelo and three minor league players to Florida in the eight-player deal.

Detroit saw themselves as contenders and somewhat mortgaged the future for a win-now opportunity. While Willis and Cabrera were young and relatively proven, though Willis went off the rails, they gave up their top two prospects and four other players.

Ultimately, neither Maybin nor Miller turned out to be the great player Cabrera proved to be, but this deal shows Dombrowski’s willingness to make the “win-now” move. Perhaps this deal is what’s motivated him in future deals, knowing that there’s a future Hall of Fame player out there who can be had for a couple of future has-beens.

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