DETROIT – After a difficult few seasons for Miguel Cabrera, the Detroit Tigers slugger has the chance to remind fans how much he’s accomplished in his career.
In particular, Cabrera has the chance to reach two major milestones in 2021. He is 13 runs shy of 500 and 134 hits less than 3,000. And yes, he is aware of the numbers.
“I hope so. We can both do that,” Cabrera said laughing Friday. “I hope I can reach 500, 3000 this year. That’s one of my goals this year. Mentally I feel good. I feel mentally strong. I try to go day by day and try to play hard.”
It’s been a while since Cabrera looked like the player who was the U.S. League MVP in 2012 and 2013. The last time he was really impressive with the bat was in 2016, when he hit 0.316 with 38 home runs. From 2017-19, he only played 304 games because a variety of injuries limited his availability.
Meanwhile, the Tigers have embarked on a major rebuild and traded many of their top players. Cabrera, who turns 38 in April, is still in the squad, which says a lot about its declining production and big contract.
Only half a dozen players reached both 500 homers and 3,000 hits: Hank Aaron, Alex Rodriguez, Albert Pujols, Willie Mays, Rafael Palmeiro and Eddie Murray.
Cabrera definitely has the chance to pick up both this year. He did manage to play in 57 of his team’s 58 games in the shortened 2020 season, hitting ten homers. In 2019, he had 139 hits in 136 games.
“I want to be healthy, and I want to do my best and I want to do everything to help the team win games,” Cabrera said Friday.
Cabrera did not play in the field last year, but new manager AJ Hinch said he is open to him playing at first base.
“He wants to play first. I did not know that he pronounced it as well as I learned after I even said it,” Hinch said. “My plan for him is to provide the opportunity to be a little more of a full-fledged player and not just fall into the DH category.”
Cabrera said he spoke to Nelson Cruz about some of his work habits. The 40-year-old Cruz is still one of the best home runners in the game.
“I like playing baseball,” Cabrera said. “I like to have fun in the field. I like to go out there every night.”