Originally when I first heard of Carlos Guillen, it was in the famous Randy Johnson deal on July 31st, 1998. Guillen and Freddy Garcia were traded to Seattle as Johnson helped the Astros win the NL Central title, by going 10-1 down the stretch and an impressive August, striking out 61 in 46 innings pitched and holding batters to a .190 average. I remember that vividly because he did not have to pitch against the Tigers anymore.
So when the Tigers traded for Guillen on January 8th, 2004 for Ramon Santiago and minor leaguer Juan Gonzalez, it made sense.