If Detroit is willing to listen to trade offers for MIguel Cabrera, in order to free up some salary, why don't the Phillies think about  going after him then? The Phillies are in need of a third baseman and Cabrera has played most of his career in that position. You might ask how could this be possible considering how much Cabrera is making and how the Phillies have limited spending this off-season.

    The Phillies could consider trading Raul Ibanez or Jayson Werth and a maybe even a lower level prospect to Detroit for Cabrera and a little cash. Ibanez's contract expires in two years and is making $10 million less per year over the next two years. Ibanez gives Detroit a viable bat in their lineup plus has the option of being a DH in the AL. Werth will be a free agent after next year, which leads me to believe he will hit the free agent market and finally get that giant pay day.  It also makes sense for Detroit to even try to sign him for a few years before he reaches free agency considering the Curtis Granderson trade rumors and Magglio Ordonez's age.

   The Phillies are looking to fill their third base void. They seem to be pursuing Adrian Belte the hardest of the third base free agents available. Based on my readings he will earn $5+ million per year.  I would much rather have Cabrera's bat and the extra 10 or so errors at third compared to what Beltre brings to the table. Use that money for Cabrera and trade away Ibanez ($11.5 million) or Werth's ($7.5 million) contract. Why not have Michael Taylor or Dominic Brown play the outfield versus the Phillies watching their talent go to waste in the minors like they did with Utley and Howard. They both should have been playing in the majors years beforehand, but couldn't due to Polanco and Thome. They are in the same position now with their 3 current all-star outfielders. With trading Ibanez the Phillies would only need to cough up an extra $5 or so million and around $8-10 million for Werth. Based on dollars alone for the 2010 season, it makes more sense for the Phillies to trade Ibanez. Werth, however, probably has more trade value because of his age, expiring contract, and the ability to play all 3 outfield positions.

   Now lets consider the long term future of the Phillies. In two years Ryan Howard will be a free agent. As hard as it is to say he can no longer be a Phillie. Miguel Cabrera can then move over to first base for the last 4 remaining years of his contract, in which he will be entering the prime of his career (as crazy as that sounds). Howard is one of the premier players in this league, but Cabrera is no slouch and is 4 years younger than Howard.

   This is all hypothetical, but if the Phillies cough up a little money they will have the scariest infield in baseball for the next two years, plus have the term stability to continue to be a power house in baseball.  The Phillies say they want to win now, but the door is slowing closing, which is why they need to bring in one of the games best.