The Detroit Tigers may undergo a bit of a rebuild this off-season. Could they actually trade Miguel Cabrera and is he open to a move?
Miguel Cabrera may be the best hitter of his generation. Going into his age 34 season (he’ll turn 34 in April), he has multiple MVP’s and batting crowns throughout his time with the Detroit Tigers. Cabrera’s massive extension only begins this year. He’s due $212 million through 2023 where he’ll turn 40 years of age. If he finishes in top 10 of MVP voting in his age 40 and 41 season, add another $60 (!) million to that.
This group of Tigers hasn’t won any titles and the transition phase for the club has begun. Cameron Maybin was already traded this year. Everyone from Justin Verlander to Jordan Zimmermann to Ian Kinsler and J.D. Martinez have been mentioned in trade rumors this off-season.
Cabrera’s name has been mentioned as well, but his deal comes with a no-trade clause.
Miguel Cabrera told @AnSanchezRu he loves playing in Detroit but "the doors are open" if a trade benefits all parties. @MLB https://t.co/pmpXwlazSF
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) December 3, 2016
Furthermore, it doesn’t appear like anything is close.
"According to a source close to the situation, there have been no active talks regarding Cabrera. “There’s never been anything close,” the source said."
With the new luxury tax rules in place, contract extensions like Cabrera’s may not happen anymore, especially considering Cabrera’s age.
At the Winter Meetings, anything can and usually does happen. Moves you don’t see coming when you have everyone basically in the same room together. If I’m a team looking for a first baseman, would I rather sign Edwin Encarnacion for the next four years and give up a pick or trade prospects and then have to pay huge amounts of money to Cabrera?
Cabrera hasn’t shown much in terms of slowing down, but, just two years ago he had some injuries. How long can he actually play first base? If it’s not for much longer, there’s no use for a National League team to try and get him because he won’t be able to play the field.
Cabrera is a great player, but the massive extension he got was ill-advised and he’s probably unmovable at this point. It’s going to be an albatross for the Tigers moving forward which is why they want to get out of it. This is a deal they are more than likely just going to have to swallow and hope he doesn’t age too quickly, because when he does, it’s not going to be pretty.