Gary Armida's Blog
Miguel Cabrera is a month away from completing his 10th season in the Major Leagues. After making his debut in 2003 as a 20 year old rookie, the Venezuela-born right handed hitter has been one of Major League Baseball’s most consistent elite hitters of the past decade. Yet, despite his consistently elite play, he has never won a Most Valuable Player Award and is often an afterthought in the conversation about Baseball’s best players. There are several reasons for perhaps missing Cabrera in that conversation, but that doesn’t take away the fact that Miguel Cabrera is already one of the best offensive players the sport has ever seen.
The detractors of Miguel Cabrera have two valid points. First, he has never been a strong defensive player. As a rookie and sophomore, left field was the only position where Cabrera had any positive defensive statistics. Since then, Cabrera has largely ranked as one of the worst defenders at his position. UZR was a bit kinder to Cabrera as a third baseman, but defensive runs saved had ranked him one of the least valuable third basemen. He was moved across the diamond during his first season in Detroit and settled in as negative defender, but far more palatable at first base. This winter, Cabrera moved back to third base to make room for Prince Fielder, but Cabrera is having a poor season as he has compiled a minus-7.5 UZR and a minus-3 DRS. While not epically bad, it is a valid argument against him being one of the all around elite players in the sport.
The other argument is Cabrera’s off the field reputation. In his younger days, he has had some moments of apathy. He’s had a couple of incidents involving alcohol. Those incidents move his name away from the likes of Albert Pujols. There isn’t, nor should there be, an excuse for his behavior. But, a player should never really be judged by what he does off the field. Does it make him less likeable? Sure it does. But, it does not make him less of a baseball player.
It would be wrong to call Miguel Cabrera the best hitter of his generation. That title has belonged to Albert Pujols. While Pujols has struggled in terms of producing like Albert Pujols this season, his career is phenomenal. Since coming into the league in 2001, Pujols has posted an average season (with this season’s 130 games included) of .325/.415/.611 with 114 runs scored, 41 doubles, 40 home runs, and 118 RBI. His average seasons are already Hall of Fame worthy. His statistics through the age of 31 put him on the same career paths as the likes of Lou Gehrig, Hank Aaron, and Mickey Mantle.
But, Miguel Cabrera isn’t that far off Pujols’ path. For his career, Cabrera has posted an average season of .321/.399/.564 with 100 runs scored, 40 doubles, 33 home runs, and 115 RBI. Again, those aren’t Pujols’ numbers, but they are still elite offensive numbers that few hitters in the history of the sport have ever produced.
His defensive performance, however, does drive down his overall worth. In terms of WAR, Pujols has produced a career WAR of 91.4. Cabrera’s career WAR is 49.7. Cabrera’s best individual season in the context of WAR was in 2011 when his defensive performance at first base was closer to being positive. His 7.3 WAR was a result of an elite offensive season and a somewhat average season. While defense is important, most elite hitters aren't evaluated on their defense. If Cabrera had been a first baseman for his career, the subject of his poor defense would never be brought up.
Perhaps one of the most overlooked aspects to Cabrera is his durability. He has played at least 150 games in each season of his career. In six of those seven full seasons, he played in at least 157 games. There was much made about his weight and his conditioning in general, but Cabrera’s Manager has been able to write in his best player’s name for just about every game during the season. There is something to be said for simply showing up each day. Some players get credit for that, but for Cabrera, this fact is often overlooked.
And, for a guy with the reputation of being selfish, Cabrera did change positions to accommodate Prince Fielder. Few elite players would do that. Few have. While he doesn’t get extra credit for doing so, it does contradict the me-first reputation that he attained.
Why is Miguel Cabrera often overlooked? That answer is difficult. He is said to be good in the clubhouse. He appears to be having fun on the field. He’s reliably dominant and is putting together a historic career. And, he’s only 29 years old. There is, of course, a second act of his career to consider before placing him among the great hitters of the game, but his statistics are similar to those of Frank Robinson, Mickey Mantle, Mel Ott, and Al Kaline.
Perhaps this will be the season Miguel Cabrera gets his MVP Award. He would certainly be deserving. That’s not likely as Mike Trout is the frontrunner right now. But Cabrera should be in the conversation. That seems to be a summation of his career. He should be in the conversation, but despite his elite offense, he is always an afterthought. That afterthought is on pace to have one historic career.
# 2
speels @ Sep 7
Love the article!! I would definitely build a team around this guy if I had a chance.
# 3
ktd1976 @ Sep 7
To the writer of the article....
Have you watched Cabrera play day in and day out, or are you just watching highlights, and going on his reputation (I'm talking about his defense here, not his offense, which speaks for itself).
I have been a life long Detroit Tiger's fan, watching games ever since I can remember (I'm almost 36 now). I watch every single game that I can each year, when work and my schedule permits. I have seen Cabrera play hundreds of games since he came to Detroit in the winter of 2007.
Yes, he has made some off the field mistakes, including his DUI in Spring Training of 2011. But, in watching this man play for Detroit the last 5 seasons, I have come to the conclusion that there is NO ONE in the Major Leagues that works HARDER at his craft than Miguel Cabrera.
Cabrera has always had a reputation as a horrible defensive player, no matter what position he plays. I will agree, when he came to Detroit, he was extraordinarily bad at third base. He wasn't much better at first in 2008, but he was better. Between 2009 and 2011, I watched Cabrera work his tail off, and transform himself from a poor defensive first baseman, to an ABOVE AVERAGE defensive first baseman (I don't give a rats A$$ about UZR, or DRS rankings, they don't mean JACK. This man made all the routine plays. Sure, he didn't make a lot of spectacular plays, only the elite defensive players make those on a regular basis. If you watched him transform, you would KNOW he was an above average first baseman.
Now, here is a little known fact about 2012. Even before the Tigers signed Prince Fielder, Cabrera was going to play around 50 games at THIRD base anyways. Why? because he wanted to. He wanted to PROVE that he could do it. Cabrera was one of the players who was consulted about the possibility of signing Prince Fielder, and he PUSHED for it.
I'll admit, I was very skeptical of moving Cabrera back to third this season, based on what he did there in 2008, and back with the Marlins. But, this man worked his tail off to make the transition. I have watched about 100 Tiger's games this season, and have been extremely surprised at how well Cabrera has played defensively at third. He makes ALL the routine plays, and still manages to make some very tough plays as well, plays that he never would have made before this year. I don't know how many times I have seen him come in on a slow chopper, or bunt, barehand the ball, and fire a bullet to Prince at first to nail a runner. There are a lot of third basemen who can't make this play at all. Cabrera gets poor scores in UZR, or DRS, because that factors in range. Cabrera will never have great range, because he is a big man. But, keep in mind that this man lost 20 lbs this off season because he was making the move to third, and actually added some range. Too many people look at his reputation as a poor defender without actually watching him play.
Also realize, that this is a man, who lost 20 lbs this offseason, and has put up MONSTER numbers. Hell, he is just 3 HR short of leading all the TRIPLE CROWN categories. There is NO right handed hitter that can hit the ball out of the park the opposite way with ease ,ike Cabrera can. He makes Comerica Park play like a shoebox. Just imagine what his power numbers would be like if he played in a hitters park. He would win the triple crown EVERY YEAR.
Quite simply put, Miguel Cabrera is, without question, the best player in the entire Major Leagues right now, yet he gets no credit.
Have you watched Cabrera play day in and day out, or are you just watching highlights, and going on his reputation (I'm talking about his defense here, not his offense, which speaks for itself).
I have been a life long Detroit Tiger's fan, watching games ever since I can remember (I'm almost 36 now). I watch every single game that I can each year, when work and my schedule permits. I have seen Cabrera play hundreds of games since he came to Detroit in the winter of 2007.
Yes, he has made some off the field mistakes, including his DUI in Spring Training of 2011. But, in watching this man play for Detroit the last 5 seasons, I have come to the conclusion that there is NO ONE in the Major Leagues that works HARDER at his craft than Miguel Cabrera.
Cabrera has always had a reputation as a horrible defensive player, no matter what position he plays. I will agree, when he came to Detroit, he was extraordinarily bad at third base. He wasn't much better at first in 2008, but he was better. Between 2009 and 2011, I watched Cabrera work his tail off, and transform himself from a poor defensive first baseman, to an ABOVE AVERAGE defensive first baseman (I don't give a rats A$$ about UZR, or DRS rankings, they don't mean JACK. This man made all the routine plays. Sure, he didn't make a lot of spectacular plays, only the elite defensive players make those on a regular basis. If you watched him transform, you would KNOW he was an above average first baseman.
Now, here is a little known fact about 2012. Even before the Tigers signed Prince Fielder, Cabrera was going to play around 50 games at THIRD base anyways. Why? because he wanted to. He wanted to PROVE that he could do it. Cabrera was one of the players who was consulted about the possibility of signing Prince Fielder, and he PUSHED for it.
I'll admit, I was very skeptical of moving Cabrera back to third this season, based on what he did there in 2008, and back with the Marlins. But, this man worked his tail off to make the transition. I have watched about 100 Tiger's games this season, and have been extremely surprised at how well Cabrera has played defensively at third. He makes ALL the routine plays, and still manages to make some very tough plays as well, plays that he never would have made before this year. I don't know how many times I have seen him come in on a slow chopper, or bunt, barehand the ball, and fire a bullet to Prince at first to nail a runner. There are a lot of third basemen who can't make this play at all. Cabrera gets poor scores in UZR, or DRS, because that factors in range. Cabrera will never have great range, because he is a big man. But, keep in mind that this man lost 20 lbs this off season because he was making the move to third, and actually added some range. Too many people look at his reputation as a poor defender without actually watching him play.
Also realize, that this is a man, who lost 20 lbs this offseason, and has put up MONSTER numbers. Hell, he is just 3 HR short of leading all the TRIPLE CROWN categories. There is NO right handed hitter that can hit the ball out of the park the opposite way with ease ,ike Cabrera can. He makes Comerica Park play like a shoebox. Just imagine what his power numbers would be like if he played in a hitters park. He would win the triple crown EVERY YEAR.
Quite simply put, Miguel Cabrera is, without question, the best player in the entire Major Leagues right now, yet he gets no credit.
# 4
ktd1976 @ Sep 7
and, if Mike Trout is the front runner for MVP right now, then people need to seriously watch Cabrera more. How can someone who is only 3 HR shy of leading EVERY triple crown category not the front runner for said award.....
Gary Armida
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Regardless, I believe Cabrera is the best hitter in baseball and will continue to be for a long time.