Do you think Miguel Cabrera would be able to reach the big wall in left field? I do. (PHOTO BY ICON SMI)

BY MICHAEL GANCI
EDITOR

Just a couple of weeks after the Mets’ season ended, my father came home from work one day with a complete list of MLB’s Free Agents, and then we had our annual talk about who could be available on the trade market. When we discussed free agents, the usual names came up. Jason Bay and Matt Holliday would be the top outfield targets, and John Lackey would be the top pitcher.

The Mets have needs that have to be addressed, and there was one guy who was brought up in the conversation that is quite enticing. His name is Miguel Cabrera.

The guy would certainly fill the power void that the Mets’ lineup certainly possesses, but would management be willing to pony up the dough that Cabrera is owed? Also, would Omar Minaya deplete the Mets farm system to make such a trade happen? I think the answer is no on both accounts. Way too much would need to happen to make this deal go down.

First, let’s start with the money. Cabrera still has six years and $126 million left on his current deal. Everyone knows that the Wilpons were hit pretty hard when Bernard Madoff pulled off his ponzi scheme. Where is this money going to come from? Oh, I know the answer. It’s coming out of our pockets. I think the bit about the Wilpons being out of money is bologna, and the fact is that they are just plain old cheap and not willing to take that giant leap to make their team a contender.

Then you have the cost in players. Take what I am about to offer with a grain of salt, but I think Cabrera would cost a package such as Jenrry Mejia, Brad Holt, Fernando Martinez and Ike Davis. On top of that, we might have to add a major league player or two. Would you be willing to make such a deal? I am no sure our farm system would be able to handle it.

Then you have the attitude of Miguel Cabrera. We all know that when he was a member of the Florida Marlins, his laziness and attitude came into question on more than one occasion. Would this guy really be willing to make a position change and come play in the limelight of New York City? I am not so sure. He has always seemed to have been a “me first” player, and that doesn’t seem to be the kind of guy that would fit into the ultimate scheme of things.

Another option could be to have David Wright make the switch to first base, but that is a whole other ballgame.

This guy has the goods. There’s no denying that. He is just 26 years old, and already he has amassed over 200 homers and 750 RBI. He has also gotten MVP votes every year since he has entered the league, and he might be a top-five hitter in baseball. There’s no arguing that he would be fun to watch.

Why exactly would Detroit just have him on the block? I love to dream just like the next guy, but moving Cabrera doesn’t seem necessary. If anything, the Tigers seem to be jockeying so that they could build around their power hitting third baseman. With Magglio Ordonez, Jeremy Bonderman, Dontrelle Willis and Nate Robertson coming off of the books after next season, it would seem like they would have money to spend. Also, there’s talk already of them moving Curtis Granderson and Edwin Jackson. That would open up a nice chunk of change as well.

To me, it seems like a pipe dream. We love to speculate, but I just don’t see why Detroit would move a guy who has a talent that is impossible to replicate.

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