ORLANDO, Fla. -- The General Managers Meetings weren't even 72 hours old and the suitors for Marlins third baseman Miguel Cabrera were already lining up.

Though it's too early to know if Cabrera, who is eligible for arbitration now and a free agent after the 2009 season, will be traded, an informal polling of front-office types had the Yankees and Dodgers among the most often mentioned destinations for the slugging third baseman, with the Tigers, White Sox and Red Sox also in the mix.

There's logic to each destination, as well as uncertainty.

The Dodgers tried to pry Cabrera away from the Marlins last summer when they discussed a deal that would have sent Matt Kemp, James Loney and Chad Billingsley to Florida, but the Marlins balked. The Dodgers are still interested, and Cabrera, 24, would instantly upgrade new manager Joe Torre's 2008 lineup.

The Yankees have Wilson Betemit as their third baseman for now, now that Alex Rodriguez has opted out of the remainder of his contract, but GM Brian Cashman is interested in Cabrera.

If any player can replace A-Rod at third, it might be Cabrera, a career .313 hitter who has already won a World Series and been selected to four All-Star teams. But would the Yankees be willing to part with the talent it would require to bring Cabrera to the Bronx?

"They're probably going to have to give up [Joba] Chamberlain, [Phil] Hughes or [Ian] Kennedy in any package for Cabrera," one GM said. "And the Yankees have been steadfast since [the July trade deadline] they weren't willing [to part with their top pitching prospects]."

Hank Steinbrenner was clear on what the Yankees won't do to get Miguel Cabrera.

"It's pretty obvious which players we're not going to trade," the owner's son said on Wednesday. "Chamberlain, Hughes and even Kennedy. Not for a position player."

Yankees GM Brian Cashman reiterated the value the organization has on the trio of young arms.

"I've been tested on those guys this week, and obviously the summer during the [trade] deadline, and I'll continue to be tested on it," Cashman said. "I know that all three of those guys, the 29 other clubs would have no problems pitching at least one of them if not all of them in their rotations."

Cabrera is coming off a season in which he batted .320, while collecting career highs in home runs (34) and RBIs (119).

Cabrera, who earned $7.45 million last season, is already the third-fastest player in Major League history to reach the 500-RBI plateau.

While not commenting specifically on Cabrera, Cashman indicated he has a better understanding of what might be available this winter.

"I have a pretty good idea going on as far as what potential options are," he said. "I know third base will not get solved all that soon for us."

The White Sox are listening to offers for third baseman Joe Crede and have Josh Fields to play the position as well. Cabrera would provide a major boost to the lineup and considering Cabrera's relationship with White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen, Chicago shouldn't be dismissed out of hand as a potential destination.

Detroit, a playoff-caliber team already, would be significantly improved with the addition of Cabrera at third, and don't underestimate GM Dave Dombrowski's ability to work out an attractive package for Cabrera.

The Red Sox, assuming they don't re-sign Mike Lowell, might make a play for the Marlins third baseman, much as they did for his former teammate, Josh Beckett. Boston is one of the teams with the ability to meet Florida's price and sign Cabrera to a long-term extension, with the bonus that it would also keep him away from the archrival Yankees.

Also Wednesday at the GM Meetings:

• The Astros have contacted the agents for free-agent left-handers Tom Glavine and Jeremy Affeldt. Houston has previously contacted the representatives for center fielders Torii Hunter and Aaron Rowand, pitchers Scott Linebrink and Francisco Cordero and second basemen Luis Castillo and Kaz Matsui.

• The Rangers continue to cling tight to prospects, so much so at least one GM believes tactics could change.

"As time evolves, I sense growing reluctance by teams to trade prospects," Cleveland's Mark Shapiro said. "So we might see a revisionist approach, with Major Leaguers-for-Major Leaguers trades being talked a lot."

• Texas GM Jon Daniels on the goings on: "Nobody cares in July about headlines you make in December."

• The Angels are waiting to make a pitch for A-Rod. GM Tony Reagins informed the third baseman's agent, Scott Boras, of the club's interest, though they cannot begin negotiations until Nov. 13.

"We have interest, and I've had a chance to speak with his representative and indicated that we do have interest, and we're going to go from there," Reagins said.