Tigers love Cabrera's glove

Friday, February 22, 2008
Tigers love Cabrera's glove
Tom Gage / The Detroit News

LAKELAND, Fla. -- The Tigers are beginning to upgrade their expectations about Miguel Cabrera as a third baseman.

In fact, their changing opinion about him might already rank as one of the biggest developments of the spring

Instead of saying Cabrera will probably grade out as "average" with the glove, which even general manager Dave Dombrowski has said about him, early indications are that the Tigers could be pleasantly surprised.

And the early reality is that they already are.

"We haven't worked anyone hard yet as far as movement," said manager Jim Leyland, "but I can see he has very good hands, soft hands. (Infield coach Rafael Belliard) has looked at tape after tape of him and has said to me that he has a chance to be real good."

The Tigers on Friday began to practice on what Cabrera has labeled a weakness of his: Accurate throws after fielding slow rollers.

"He wants to work on that," said Leyland.

So, of course, they worked on that.

As Leyland has already said this spring, he wants Cabrera to be known as a complete player, not just as an excellent hitter -- and while he won't ever have Brandon Inge's agility, the early returns are favorable.