Detroit Tigers Roster Preview: Miguel Cabrera

Feb 28, 2015; Lakeland, FL, USA; Detroit Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera (24) poses during Photo day at Joker Merchant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

Quick hits
Name: Miguel Cabrera
Age: 31
Position: infielder
Salary: 21.94 million
Height: 6′ 4″
Twitter handle: @MiguelCabrera

How the Detroit Tigers got him: obtained December 5, 2007 in a trade with the Florida Marlins

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Starting a roster preview of the Detroit Tigers with anyone other than the fan favorite that is Miguel Cabrera just seemed silly. Since Cabrera has come to Detroit he has been one of the biggest reasons that the team has become a dominate force in not only the American League but throughout baseball. He has hit big home runs, made big plays and brought a triple crown to the Motor City in 2012.

2014 season recap

Well in 2014 the Detroit Tigers traded Prince Fielder away that let Cabrera move back over to first base. Miggy also signed a big contract extension, 8-year contract extension worth $248 million big in fact, which means the Tigers will have Cabrera for a long time. Stats wise Cabrera hit a .313 batting average with a .524 slugging percentage. He knocked in 109 RBI’s, 25 home runs and led the league in doubles with 52 and managed one triple.

Honestly, not a bad season for Cabrera, he also reached some career milestones. Miggy notch his 2,000th career hit. Cabrera had 100 RBI on the season for the 11th consecutive season. He was voted in by fans as the starting first baseman at the All-star game.

However in the offseason Cabrera had surgery to remove bone spurs which had been giving him issues for most of the season. Yet when doctors were working on taking care of his bone spurs, they also discovered that he had a stress fracture in the navicular bone in his right foot.

2014-2015 Season Potential

Well, this is Miguel Cabrera, so his potential is more than likely going to be typical Miggy. Hopeful with the surgery fixing everything wrong with his ankle and foot will help keep him healthy through the entire season. There is a chance that he could be back up in the 30-40 home runs. Yet I see Cabrera being the power hitter that he has been the past few seasons, we are seeing him in his prime of his career and he is a leader on this club.

If you follow Cabrera on Twitter you have been able to see his recovery and through the Detroit Tigers Twitter you have been able to see him hitting and getting back into the swing of baseball workouts and he looks good.

He was even striking a pose with teammate Jose Iglesias at the Detroit Tigers picture day.

Strengths and Weaknesses

Weaknesses

If you had to give Cabrera a weakness it may just be his health and coming back from his injury. He is kind of slow when it comes to running, he stole one base last season and has never stolen double-digit bases in his entire 12 years in the major leagues. Yet, no one really expects that from him as a power hitter.

Strengths

He is a power hitter who can hit the ball very very far. When Miggy is healthy he is one of the most amazing players to watch play baseball.

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As a Tigers fan I feel lucky to have this guy on my team, he made it so in my lifetime I saw a player win a Triple Crown and I never thought I might. Well I did, and the player who did it was on my team.

Another strength I think that is in ways overlooked is what he can do for younger players and all the other hitters on the team. He can teach them to hit the way he does. He is a smart hitter that I hope will turn Yoenis Cespedes into a smarter hitter who doesn’t swing at silly pitches.

Depth Chart

He is listed as the starting first baseman. Nothing much new there. If he is fully healthy by the time the regular season starts he will open the day there.

Fast fun fact

His full name is José Miguel Cabrera Torres. That just seemed interesting.

What do you think Miguel Cabrera will do this season? Do you think he will stay healthy all season? Will he continue to be the power hitter we have watched over the years? Let us know below. Stay connected with Detroit Jock City as we continue to look at the Detroit Tigers roster.

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