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Miguel Cabrera Signs $292 Million Deal with Tigers

First baseman Miguel Cabrera agreed Friday to the richest contract to date in American sports, a $292 million, 10-year deal with the Detroit Tigers. The 30-year-old, two time MVP had two years and $44...
Miguel Cabrera Signs $292 Million Deal with Tigers
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  • First baseman Miguel Cabrera agreed Friday to the richest contract to date in American sports, a $292 million, 10-year deal with the Detroit Tigers.

    The 30-year-old, two time MVP had two years and $44 million left on his current contract, and was offered an eight-year extension into 2023 at $152.3 million guaranteed. Cabrera’s new contract, which totals $292 million, surpasses that of Alex Rodriguez’s 10-year, $275 million deal as the largest in history. He was also offered a buyout option with the new contract.

    ”I want to finish my career here. I have worked hard to get better, and Detroit is like a house for me,” Cabrera said of playing for the Tigers.

    When asked if he could see himself becoming a designated hitter by the end of the contract, Cabrera said, “I don’t know yet. I’ve got to wait 10 more years. … Wait ’til I get to 40 and ask me that, and I’ll tell you what I’m going to do.”

    The hitter, who turns 31 on April 18, was traded to the Tigers in 2007 after a five-year run with the Marlins that began when he was 20.

    During his time with the Tigers, Cabrera has won three straight batting titles, led the league in slugging percentage twice, and helped the club to win three straight AL Central championships. He also won the Triple Crown in 2012, the first player to do so since Carl Yastrzemski in 1967.

    An eight-time All-Star, Cabrera has a .321 career average with 365 homers and 1,260 RBIs.

    Tigers president and general manager Dave Dombrowski said he felt it was the right time to negotiate an extension, with two years left on Cabrera’s current contract. Dombrowski said that if the Tigers had waited longer, the “lure of free agency” would have made it more difficult to reach a deal with Cabrera.

    “I was never thinking about going to free agency and signing with another team,” Cabrera said.

    “I was thinking I want to be here. I want to stay here. I want to be a Tiger. … I’m thankful because I want to finish my career here,” added Cabrera.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

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