Tigers Keep Cabrera for $152.3 Million

Published: 3/24/08, 7:25 AM EDT
By LARRY LAGE

DETROIT (AP) - When the Detroit Tigers landed Miguel Cabrera in a blockbuster trade, they knew it would be expensive to keep him beyond the 2009 season.

Clearly, they think he's worth it.

The Tigers and Cabrera have reached preliminary agreement on a $152.3 million, eight-year contract, a person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press on Sunday.

The person, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the contract was not yet final, said the third baseman must pass a physical before the agreement can be completed.

"It's a testament to what this organization is trying to do," Detroit slugger Gary Sheffield said. "It says we're trying to win right now, but in the future also. He's a future-type player. Any time you can get a player for that amount of years on this team, you're looking at multiple championships."

Detroit acquired Cabrera from the Florida Marlins during December's winter meetings along with pitcher Dontrelle Willis, giving up six prospects in the trade.

Cabrera averaged 32 homers and 115 RBIs while hitting .318 the past four seasons for the Marlins. The only players to at least match his averages in all three categories over that four-year span were Albert Pujols and Vladimir Guerrero, according to Stats, LLC.

Cabrera agreed Jan. 18 to an $11.3 million salary for this season. The new deal adds $141 million over the following seven seasons.

He will earn $15 million in 2009, when he would have been eligible for salary arbitration. He will average $21 million over the next six seasons, when he would have been eligible for free agency.

Cabrera's average salary of $19,037,500 will be the fourth-highest in the major leagues behind those of New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez ($27.5 million), New York Mets pitcher Johan Santana ($22,916,667) and Boston left fielder Manny Ramirez ($20 million).

His deal also will be the fourth-highest package. Rodriguez is starting a $275 million, 10-year contract, Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter is entering the eighth season of a $189 million, 10-year deal and Ramirez is in the final guaranteed season of a $160 million, eight-year contract.

Aspects of Cabrera's agreement were first reported by ESPNdeportes.com.

Ace Justin Verlander said just having Cabrera around has been a positive for the team.

"What stands out to me is his personality around the clubhouse," Verlander said. "Everybody knows how good of a ballplayer he is, but he's also great around the clubhouse and is a good teammate."

Willis has often said matter-of-factly that Cabrera will be in the Hall of Fame.

Tigers manager Jim Leyland echoed similar sentiments at the start of spring training after saying he wanted to help Cabrera become a complete player.

"Hopefully someday when he goes to Cooperstown," Leyland said, "people won't just say he was one hell of a hitter."

Cabrera has struggled at times at third base - making 23 errors last year and 17 the previous season - after primarily playing in the outfield during his first two full years in the majors.

Leyland has been pleased with Cabrera's defense, saying he has good hands and a better-than-expected arm following a recent exhibition.

The four-time All-Star was criticized by some last year for his weight, but reported to the Tigers' camp in Lakeland, Fla., after dropping some pounds. His conditioning drew rave reviews from teammates such as Carlos Guillen, who have known him for years.

Cabrera and Willis were the last players left from the Marlins' 2003 World Series championship team. Cabrera made $472,000 two years ago and $7.4 million last season, when he was eligible for arbitration for the first time.

Two years ago, Cabrera hit a Marlins-record .339 and joined Pujols, Rodriguez and Hall of Famer Hank Greenberg as the only players to hit 25 homers and 50 doubles in a season before turning 24.

He followed that up last season with career highs in homers (34) and RBIs (119).

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AP Baseball Writer Ronald Blum contributed to this report.

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