The New York Yankees are always involved with the biggest names in the sport and that was no different back in 2007, as the team had the chance to trade for superstar Miguel Cabrera before his deal to the Tigers, but they balked at the idea of having to put in Phil Hughes, Joba Chamberlain or Ian Kennedy, as they were the top prospects for the team at the time.
The nugget came up in the Daily News and was picked up by Hardball Talk and while no deal was close, looking back the Yankees sure wish they pulled this one off. The offseason in 2007 turned out to be very important for the Yankees, as Alex Rodriguez opted out of his megadeal to sign a new one and the Yankees tricked themselves into doing it and now they are still dealing with the consequences of that, as the A-Rod situation has turned into a circus.
The team likely wishes they could go back and get Cabrera, because he is clearly a Hall of fame player and now that he has two straight MVP's, this deal looks easy to make. Sure, the Yankees had no idea that Phil Hughes, Joba Chamberlain and Ian Kennedy all wouldn't work out with the team and after this season it's likely none of those players will be on the roaster. The Yankees won a World Series without Cabrera of course, but one must wonder what might have happened had the deal went through.
From the original report: "Brian Cashman met with the Marlins at about 6 p.m. last night at the GM meetings. No offers were made, but a source with knowledge of the situation said the Marlins made it clear that the Yankees would have to include either Phil Hughes, Joba Chamberlain or Ian Kennedy in any trade for Cabrera, something the Yankees are not willing to do. The Yankees would likely offer a deal involving their next tier of prospects, which includes Alan Horne, Humberto Sanchez, Ross Ohlendorf and Jose Tabata."
