How Miguel Cabrera’s Injury Might Affect The Detroit Tigers
As news of Max Scherzer leaving the Detroit Tigers sets in, fans will have to look toward the 2015 MLB season. Except in late-January there usually isn’t as much off-season news as during the Winter Meetings or so.
One report that has completely flown under the radar for the Tigers though is Miguel Cabrera. Yes, the 2012/2013 MVP and 2012 Triple Crown Winner.
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Why though?
Well the (old) news is that Miguel Cabrera had to get bone spurs removed from his ankle. Medical reports even had a the Tigers General Manager a bit surprised about what was going on in Cabrera’s leg.
The stress fracture was definitely a bit unexpected and will lengthen Cabrera’s timetable to return to baseball activities.
With news that he didn’t come on the TigersFest because of precautionary reasons Dombrowski has hinted that he should be ready for Opening Day. Cabrera missing as little time of the regular season as possible will be vital for the Tigers.
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The trickle down effect this injury can have on the team will be huge. If he’s out for a long time that will lead to a lot of issues for this squad.
The most obvious immediate impact will be on the offense. Cabrera’s been the centerpiece of the Tigers for years now since they traded for him before the 2008 season.
Losing one of if not the best hitter in baseball for an extended period will make any lineup suffer. With some potential problems already existing other hitters will have to step up.
A cast of J.D. Martinez and Yoenis Cespedes will be relied upon heavily at the beginning of the season. Expecting another career season from Victor Martinez will be foolish of the Tigers.
The impact of losing the best hitter in baseball will take its toll in a big way for this team. But that’s true for any baseball team in the Majors.
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On the defensive side of things it should be easier to accommodate for Cabrera. He’s more average than a defensive liability at first base.
But Victor Martinez has the ability play some first base. So he should get some time at the beginning of the season filling in for Cabrera.
Filling in for the DH is obviously easy as any competent hitter can fill in for him. The reality of the situation though is that Cabrera’s absence will be felt dearly.
The Tigers will also need to consider that he must get back into game shape once he comes back from injury. Spring Training exists for a reason and Cabrera missing it may result in a slow start for him.
The most intriguing part of Cabrera though is that his iron man status remains intact after the last few years. Any Tigers fans know that he’s been dealing with a multitude of injuries recently.
Nobody forgot a limping Cabrera fighting through injury through the latter half of the 2013 season. Or that near the 2014 All-Star break there were reports that he and Verlander may not be entirely healthy following core surgery in the off-season.
Cabrera’s tendency to put the team on his back has spoiled Tigers fans in recent years. There’s no doubt Cabrera sitting out because of injury is a foreign concept to this team.
However even the mightiest fall and this team will have to adapt as a result. With a stronger AL Central threatening the Tigers’ crown they’ll have to be careful going forward for the rest of the season.
And a healthy Cabrera for the entire season is exactly what they need for a 5-peat.
Now, your thoughts. How do you think Cabrera’s absence will show on this team? Do you think Tigers fans are potentially spoiled with Cabrera’s iron-man work ethic? Whatever the case, he’s hurt and getting him healthy should be a point of emphasis for the Tigers.