"I will pick his [rear end] up at the airport and drive him to what I hope is a National League team," said Williams, with a wry smile, concerning one of the White Sox chief tormentors.

His value was low at the moment for a pair of reasons -- the Eric Byrnes extension locked him out of a job in Arizona, and Quentin just had surgery on his left shoulder. If healthy, he'll provide a solid boost of OBP to a lineup that's light on patient hitters. The White Sox's team OBP was just .318 last year, and just one hitter was over .360. The move also allows them to fill an outfield hole without spending a significant amount of money.

The Diamondbacks acquire a high-risk, high-upside power-hitting prospect in Chris Carter. Carter was a 15th-round pick in 2005 out of a Las Vegas high school. He had plus raw power then but was otherwise lacking in baseball skills. Since signing, however, he's shown better plate discipline and better ability to make contact than expected. There's still a question about whether his defense is good enough to keep him at first base -- and there aren't a lot of other options if that position doesn't work out -- but he has the power potential to hit 30-plus homers in the majors.

The Marlins and Tigers are engaged in preliminary talks about a blockbuster that would send Cabrera and left-hander Dontrelle Willis to Detroit for a package of young players, according to major-league sources.

Outfielder Cameron Maybin and left-hander Andrew Miller likely are among the Marlins' targets. The Tigers already feature two veteran left-handed starters, Kenny Rogers and Nate Robertson, possibly making Miller available in a deal for Willis.

Cabrera would play third base for the Tigers. It is uncertain what would happen to the Tigers' incumbent third baseman, Brandon Inge, if a deal were completed; he possibly could be sent to another team.

The Marlins are at an impasse in their talks about Cabrera with the Angels. The teams are in agreement on three players the Marlins would receive, sources say -- second baseman Howie Kendrick, catcher Jeff Mathis and minor-league pitcher Nick Adenhart. The Angels are balking at including right-hander Ervin Santana; the substitution of outfielder Reggie Willits possibly could lead to a deal.

The White Sox remain heavily interested in Cabrera, whom they would use in left field. Sox manager Ozzie Guillen is close with Cabrera and said Monday that the player already has lost 15 pounds this off-season while re-dedicating himself to baseball.

The deal could take away a non-Johan Santana option for both the Yankees and Red Sox.

By Bob Nightengale