Former 'caps Dealt In Blockbuster; Eight Whitecaps Traded This Offseason
COMSTOCK PARK, MI - The Tigers continued to deal many of their top prospects for Major League All-Stars this week when Cameron Maybin and four other former Whitecaps were traded in the Tigers blockbuster deal with the Florida Marlins for third baseman Miguel Cabrera and left-handed pitcher Dontrelle Willis.
Maybin, who led the Whitecaps to a MWL Championship in 2006, was dealt to Florida along with catcher Mike Rabelo (2002-03) and pitchers Eulogio De La Cruz (2004), Burke Badenhop (2006), Dallas Trahern (2005) and Andrew Miller. The Tigers latest deal runs the total count of former 'Caps traded this offseason to eight players. Outfielder Gorkys Hernandez (2007) and pitcher Jair Jurrjens (2005) were traded to Atlanta on October 29 for all-star shortstop Edgar Renteria and infielder Omar Infante (2000) was dealt to Chicago for outfielder Jacque Jones on November 11.
The trades this offseason have showcased the success and talent of the Tigers minor leagues in conjunction with the Whitecaps championship seasons the past three out of four years as an integral step in the Tigers farm system.
"What this trade shows is the success of our minor league system to be able to enhance the Major League club right now," said Tigers Director of Minor League Operations Dan Lunetta. "This is the hard work of our scouting to acquire that young talent through the draft and Latin America and the work of our coaches in West Michigan and throughout our system to develop the program."
Maybin, tabbed as Detroit's No. 1 prospect according to Baseball America, was the Tigers Minor League Player of the Year in 2006 along with the 2006 Midwest League Prospect of the Year. Badenhop was named the Tigers 2006 Minor League Pitcher of the Year while pitching for the Whitecaps.
In 2007, Hernandez followed in Maybin's footsteps as a top prospect in center field for West Michigan and was awarded the Midwest League's MVP award. Trahern, who went 12-6 with a 3.87 ERA at Double-A Erie this season, is fresh off helping Team USA win the international World Cup in Taiwan last month.
Former Whitecaps Manager Matt Walbeck is also on the move this offseason after accepting a position with the Texas Rangers as their third base coach after being named Baseball America's 2007 Minor League Manager of the Year. Walbeck managed the 'Caps for three seasons from 2004-06, leading West Michigan to two Midwest League Titles.
Individual and full-season ticket plans are now on sale for the 2008 Whitecaps season. For more information, contact the Whitecaps Ticket Office at 616-784-4131 or view ticket plans at
West Michigan Whitecaps Baseball.