How many people thought that the blockbuster trade of the day wouldNT involve Johan Santana?

Well after Day One of the Winter Meetings down in Nashville, the Tigers and Marlins pulled off a blockbuster deal:

Tigers Get: Miguel Cabrera, Dontrelle Willis
Marlins Get: Cameron Maybin, Andrew Miller, Mike Rabello, Three Minor League Pitchers to be later


Analysis: Tigers once again propel themselves into the elite of the American League, and seem poised to challenge for the World Series crown. They add a power bat in between Magglio Ordonez and Gary Sheffield, making a dangerous lineup even more potent. With Jim Leyland watching over Cabrera, Tigers fans shouldnt worry about an out of shape superstar. Willis is a good pickup, though I feel he's overrated: 4.50 ERA in 2007 in a pitchers park down in Florida? I question how he'll fare against tougher lineups. I have to really applaud Florida GM Larry Beinefest for this one. In my opinion, hes a Top 3 GM in the sport: he always trades his stars at their highest value, and makes sure to get great players in return (see Josh Beckett trade, circa 2005). Maybin and Miller are two of the top players in the Minor Leagues, and within a few years, should be leading the Marlins back into contention.

AL Pecking Order
1. Boston Red Sox - Can't be better than the Champions until you beat the Champions
2. Detroit Tigers - This trade, in addition to getting Edgar Reniteria and resigning Kenny Rogers make them legitimate contenders in the Central
3. New York Yankees - Filled all of their major holes, while retaining their bright young pitching. Last year in Yankee Stadium is promising
4. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim - Biggest losers so far, the addition of Cabrera would have had them challenging for the top spot. Torii Hunter helps, but not that much: this team is a year older, and are still missing that big bat to protect Vlad
4a. Cleveland Indians - Although they are a strong team, they drop because of the Tigers moves

Major League Roundup

- Boston Red Sox and Minnesota Twins are still haggling over that last player, but seem ready to make a trade. In exchange for Santana, Twins would receive either a package based around CF Jacoby Ellsbury, or SP Jon Lester. If this trade goes through, it gives the Sox one of the best rotations I've seen in a long time. But would anyone care to notice that if the trade does go through, Boston is starting to evolve into the new Evil Empire.
-New York Yankees have turned their attentions elsewhere, particularly to Dan Haren. However, Billy Beane will demand a very high price. Don't expect this trade to happen
- Chicago Cubs seem close to signing Japanese prize Kosume Fukodome to play RF
- Kansas City Royals are finalizing a 3-year deal with Jose Guillen
- Seattle Mariners have their nose in everything, Id be surprised if they leave Nashville without making a splash

... More to follow if anything major occurs/Santana deal is finalized

EXTRA EXTRA:
Yankees have traded Tyler Clippard to the Nationals for reliever Jonathan Albaladejo. Deal is a bit of a wash. Clippard will be a 4-5 Starter in the majors, and no one is sure as to what Albaladejo can do at a Major League level. Small Risk, Small Reward for both teams. Though its nice to see the old Expos franchise being proactive