Hot corner heating up

Just 24, Miguel Cabrera hit .320 with 34 home runs and 119 RBIs last season in his fifth season with the Marlins. Richard C. Lewis/Icon SMI

It's not going to be easy to replace A-Rod's production, but there was a lot of lobby talk about Miguel Cabrera possibly being made available by the Marlins, and he could come the closest. The Palm Beach Post actually reported that the Marlins are "expected'' to shop Cabrera.

Florida plays everything close to the vest, but one Marlins source recently said he believed the team was more likely to deal Dontrelle Willis, who is a year away from free agency.

The GMs met regarding possible arbitration figures, and Cabrera's is expected to rise from $7 million to around $12 million -- and while the cost-conscious Marlins can easily cover this figure with revenue sharing monies, many still see them shopping Cabrera for a package of three even younger and much cheaper prospects. One competing GM said the Marlins would surely insist on at least one of the Yankees' big three pitching prospects, meaning Joba Chamberlain, Phil Hughes or Ian Kennedy, and probably also hot-shot outfield prospect Jose Tabata, in a three-player package.

The Red Sox, Dodgers and Angels would be the other three most likely suitors for Cabrera. If Boston fails to re-sign Mike Lowell and gets Cabrera instead, it might choose to play Cabrera at first base and move Kevin Youkilis to third.

The Red Sox do remain the favorite to retain Lowell (though that wouldn't absolutely preclude a run at A-Rod, who could play shortstop). But the Yankees, Dodgers and Angels could be in the mix as well, although one scout said Lowell's stellar numbers would drop with a move from Fenway Park to Dodger Stadium or Yankee Stadium.

The Yankees have also discussed a deal with the White Sox that would involve shipping Johnny Damon to Chicago for Joe Crede. But that option appears to be well down both teams' lists. The White Sox are first looking into Torii Hunter and Aaron Rowand as outfield possibilities, and Crede surely ranks behind Cabrera, Lowell and maybe Adrian Beltre as well if he's available. The Yankees lost one potential option when the Rockies said they wanted to hold on to Garrett Atkins and planned to play third base prospect Ian Stewart at second.

Considering Rodriguez fits the Yankees best and they have the money, some folks think they will still get back into the A-Rod derby even though they have said they won't. To do so, they'd almost surely have to pay a lot more than they were planning to pay, and that's now without the $30 million subsidy from Texas.

Around the Majors

• The Giants, badly in need of offense even before they fired Barry Bonds, have told teams they may trade a young pitcher for hitting help. However, it would stun everyone if they'd part with Tim Lincecum. Either Noah Lowry or Matt Cain is much more likely to be dealt.

• One competing GM said the Nationals should be a player for free agents. "They're from a major market and they're heading into a new stadium.'' Also, they can't rely on any more miracles like they had last year. If the Nats do open the coffers, some could see club president Stan Kasten trying for his ex-Braves stars, Andruw Jones and Tom Glavine.

• A lot of folks say John Mozeliak will do a great job as the Cardinals new general manager. But word is that Rick Hahn and Chris Antonetti pulled out of the running. Antonetti is likely to become GM in Cleveland when their excellent general manager, Mark Shapiro, is promoted to club president in a few years.

• If anyone is in great bargaining position, it's Jorge Posada. Presumably the Yankees have lost 25-30 home runs at third base, and if they lose Posada, they'll lose a lot more offense. The Mets will try for Posada. But the smart money says he holds up the Yankees but still stays.

• Andy Pettitte declined his $16-million player option for the moment, telling the Yankees he needed more time to think about it. He's said he'll either play for the Yankees or retire, and the Yankees are amenable to giving him time. Still, retirement may be a real option for Pettitte, and that would be another big blow.

• Maybe Hank Steinbrenner was right after all about the Yankees entering a "transitional'' phase.