Miguel Cabrera
Fangraphs End of 2015 Fantasy Ranking: #89
Since Miguel Cabrera’s debut in 2003 he has been one of the best hitters in baseball. Last season he struggled with a calf injury and only played in 119 games, but there was little reason for owners to pass on the thirty-three year old. When he’s at his best he’s one of, if not the, best hitters in baseball. Before his injury he was having another vintage Cabrera season. He still ended the year with 18 HR and 76 RBI while hitting .338/.440/.534.
So far in 2016 Cabrera has been okay at the plate, but he’s produced no where near his lofty standards. He’s hitting just .232/.317/.339, and he’s only hit one home run. Earlier this week George Sipple wrote that Tigers’ manager Brad Ausmus isn’t concerned with Cabrera’s struggles. His teammates also shrugged off the concerns. Just about everyone, fantasy owners included, expects Cabrera to eventually turn it around and look more like the player they expected him to be.
As mentioned above, Cabrera turned thirty-three in April. Fantasy owners have been expecting him to regress some for a couple of seasons now. However, up to this point Cabrera has been able to defy the odds, although his recent injury could be a sign that he’s slowing. Prior to last season he had never played in fewer than 148 games in the majors, and that surely put a lot of wear on his body.
It’s still more likely than not that he’ll start to hit, but at some point Miguel Cabrera must become mortal. Fantasy owners are holding out hope that this isn’t the season for that transition.
Next: Abreu's Unexpected Line