Miguel Cabrera for Right Field?

To continue my series of speculation on what the Yankees could do for 2008 here`s another idea for what they could do for the offense.

Could the Yankees trade for Miguel Cabrera as a right-fielder for next year? Suppose the Yankees offer to trade Jose Tabata, Ian Kennedy, and Alan Horne to the Marlins for Miguel Cabrera?

The Marlins get one very good pitching prospect (Ian Kennedy), another good solid one (Alan Horne) and another top prospect in Jose Tabata. Giving upo a guy they will only be able to keep for another year or two.

The Yankees get one of the best young hitters in baseball and the only guy available that could possibly replace A-Rod. Ian Kennedy is a big loss but he has Chamberlain and Hughes ahead of him. Horne is a good prospect but not on the same level as Kennedy, Chamberlain, and Hughes. Tabata is also a hard loss but while he could be one of the best hitters in baseball eventually, Cabrera IS one of the best hitters in baseball.

Next they trade Johnny Damon, Bobby Abreu, Jeff Karstens and money to the White Sox for Joe Crede, Paul Konerko, and John Danks

Damon is going to be basically a 4th OF'er next year with no changes splitting time with Giambi, Matsui, and Melky. Abreu is overpaid and nobody will miss him when he`s traded. Joe Crede can fill third base and John Danks adds pitching depth essentially replacing Ian Kennedy. They save some money and help the pitching and defense. Paul Konerko is an improvement over any other options they have for first base. At the end of his deal he`ll be hurting the team but they can afford it and his contract is no worse than Damon's. Karstens is basically a throw-in.

From the White Sox perspective they get Damon who can play CF or LF for them. Both weaknesses for them. Abreu can DH and Jim Thome can play first base. If they want Abreu could also probably play left-field. Danks probably isn't valued that highly (I like him because he has a good K/BB and should be easy to get) and their isn't a big difference between him and Karstens.

Miguel Cabrera can play RF. Joe Girardi is strict and will make sure Miguel doesn't get overweight. If he loses some weight he can get faster and help his range in RF. He`s better suited to a corner OF spot anyway. Crede is a good defensive third baseman and run prevention is really the problem with this team. If they don't improve offense elsewhere I don't want him but Cabrera and Konerko are both definitely offensive improvements.

1) Derek Jeter (SS)
2) Robinson Cano (2B)
3) Hideki Matsui (LF)
4) Miguel Cabrera (RF)
5) Paul Konerko (1B)
6) Jason Giambi (DH)
7) Jorge Posada (C)
8) Joe Crede (3B)
9) Melky Cabrera (CF)