Miguel Cabrera batting against Angels in September 2009. Photo/Wikimedia
[dropcap]M[/dropcap]ultiple sources report Thursday night that the Detroit Tigers and general manager Dave Dombrowski have inked first baseman Miguel Cabrera to a multi-year extension worth nearly $300 million.
The deal would reportedly cover the final two years of his current deal, as well as an additional eight years, meaning Cabrera would be paid something to the tune of $30 million per year. In terms of annual average value, it should surpass Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw’s recent deal and make Cabrera the highest-paid player in Major League Baseball.
Cabrera, 30, is a two-time defending AL MVP, and is currently playing out the final two years of a deal that’s worth $152 million. After batting a career-high .348 with 44 home runs (which tied a career-high) last year primarily at third base, he’s expected to move back to first primarily this season with the promotion of highly-touted Tigers prospect Nick Castellanos sliding into the 3B slot.
Although the deal has reportedly been in the works for the past several days, it’s one that’s been financially brewing for months. The organization moved Prince Fielder in the trade that brought back second baseman Ian Kinsler in order to free up payroll that was intended to be used for extending Cabrera, as well as 2013 AL Cy Young winner Max Scherzer. However, a reported six-year, $144 million deal couldn’t be agreed upon by both sides, and it appears as if the 29-year-old breakout righty may be poised to hit free agency after his contract expires at the end of the upcoming season.
Since arriving in Detroit with SP Dontrelle Willis in December 2007 via a trade that shipped SP Andrew Miller and OF prospect Cameron Maybin to the Florida Marlins, Cabrera has arguably been the best offensive player in baseball the last several years alongside Los Angeles Angels OF Mike Trout, who also figures to receive a contract similar to Cabrera’s deal within the calender year.
In six seasons with Detroit, the eight-time All-Star has batted .327 with 227 HRs, leading the entire league in on-base percentage in three of those seasons.
Report lifted from Press Row Sports.
