Offseason
The Tigers started the offseason by trading prospects Jair Jurrjens and Gorkys Hernández to the Atlanta Braves for shortstop Edgar Rentería. Rentería took over the everyday shortstop job with Carlos Guillén moving to first base.
Reliever Joel Zumaya underwent surgery October 31, 2007 for AC joint reconstruction and is expected to miss half the 2008 season.
The Tigers continued their offseason trading by acquiring Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis from the Florida Marlins in exchange for highly-touted prospects Cameron Maybin and Andrew Miller, along with Mike Rabelo, Eulogio De La Cruz, Burke Badenhop and Dallas Trahern. Willis would sign a three-year, 29-million dollar contract extension, while Cabrera would receive an eight-year, 152.3-million dollar deal, the biggest contract in Tigers history.
During the offseason, the Tigers traded Omar Infante to the Chicago Cubs for Jacque Jones, re-signed Todd Jones, and Kenny Rogers to one-year contracts. They also signed free agent Francisco Cruceta from the Texas Rangers organization to a one-year contract. Cruceta and Jacque Jones were eventually released during the season, and Todd Jones retired at the end of the season. The Tigers declined the option to sign Edgar Rentería at the end of the season.
Read more about this topic: 2008 Detroit Tigers Season