5 Bold Predictions For The 2015 Detroit Tigers

Prediction #1: Miguel Cabrera will return back to his MVP-self…but won’t win the MVP

Mar 30, 2015; Lakeland, FL, USA; Detroit Tigers first basemen Miguel Cabrera (24) hits a ground rule double in third inning of the spring training game against the Atlanta Braves at Joker Marchant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports

Miguel Cabrera is back. Those words should scare any pitcher that’s not on the Detroit Tigers staff especially the ones that pitch in the AL Central.

The 2012/2013 AL MVP will be back to mashing baseballs like no human should be able to. He’s the best hitter in the Majors and there’s a reason for it.

While he enters his age-32 season in 2015 Tigers fans shouldn’t fret whatsoever. The fact that he even hit .313/.371/.524/.895 with 25 home runs and 109 RBI’s last year is absurd.

Mar 29, 2015; Clearwater, FL, USA; Detroit Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera (24) reacts at bat during the first inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Bright House Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

And that’s considered a disappointment in terms of Cabrera’s standards. A .900 OPS is an All-Star season no matter how you look at it. Coupled with his “disappointing” season he did all that all on a stress fracture that wasn’t found till the doctor actually went in and cut up his ankle.

In reality it’s been a long, long time since Cabrera’s played fully healthy. He had the core injury through the end of 2013 and into the postseason. There were even rumors the core surgery affected the beginning of his 2014 season. Then he had the leg issues last year.

Cabrera has put his own standard on himself without any doubt. These aren’t All-Star expectations folks, these are Hall-of-Fame expectations.

Make no mistake about it though. The future HOF’er will come back with a vengeance. He’ll prove any and all naysayers wrong as he mashes his way to an MVP-caliber season.

Except he won’t win the MVP. A guy like Mike Trout or Robinson Cano will. While Tigers fans may not like their superstar winning another MVP they should go to bed knowing that they have their HOF slugger back for the long-run.

While this may not be exactly bold, we’re just starting out here. A mention of the All-World slugger has to be included though, and that’s exactly what Cabrera is.

Next: The MVP Race