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The Detroit Tigers traded left-handed pitcher Andy Oliver to the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for minor-league catcher Ramon Cabrera. It's the first deal of the Winter Meetings for Detroit, and not surprising given Oliver's time with the Tigers. He spent a month in the starting rotation with Detroit, in his first year as a pro, but Oliver ended up in the bullpen with Triple-A Toledo by the end of 2012.
As noted by Jason Beck, the Tigers beat writer for MLB.com, team president and general manager Dave Dombroski spoke on the trade, saying that the team felt a change of scenery would be the best option for Oliver to get back on track.
Dombrowski was complimentary, but noted the team's issues with Oliver, saying that they couldn't get him to throw strikes on a consistent basis. He did go on to say that if Oliver ever does find that consistency, that he has a chance to be "a very fine pitcher."