Cabrera set to ink Tigers' biggest pact: $153.3 million

Cabrera set to ink Tigers' biggest pact: $153.3 million

KISSIMMEE, Florida -- Miguel Cabrera and the Detroit Tigers reached a preliminary agreement Saturday on an eight-year, $153.3 million contract extension, a source close to Cabrera told ESPNdeportes.com on condition of anonymity.

The All-Star third baseman will undergo a physical on Monday to complete the deal, the source said.

The contract is the richest in the Tigers' history. Magglio Ordonez had the previous record when he signed with Detroit for $75 million and five years in 2004.

"Miguel just signed a big contract," said the source. "The contract will be completed when Miguel takes a physical on Monday."

Cabrera, 24, was eligible for arbitration in 2009 and could become a free agent after the season ended. He will earn $11.3 million in 2008, and then an average of $19 million per year through 2016.

Wow! That's a whole lotta money.

I wish I was his agent!

It's about damn time the Tigers spent some money to show they were serious! Pudge was a big singing, as was Magglio....but that was small time compared to Miggy! Now we have a perrenial All-Star 3rd basemen for 8 more years!

Serious! Even before this signing, only the Red Sox and Yankees had a higher payroll than Detroit

Now everyone that matters is signed long term save Verlander. Don't forget about him (although it'd probably make more sense next year once Rodriguez is gone).

03/23/2008 4:29 PM ET
Reports say Tigers extend Cabrera
Deal expected to be eight years at $19 million per season
By Jason Beck / MLB.com

LAKELAND, Fla. -- The Tigers didn't officially announce their agreement on Miguel Cabrera's contract extension on Sunday, but they were already celebrating it.

Dontrelle Willis walked into the clubhouse on Sunday morning and gave his long-time teammate a big hug.

"When I got my deal, he was happy, called me up," Willis said. "And I remember when I got called up [to the big leagues], he was the happiest guy. I feel the same for him."

Ramon Santiago walked over and shook Cabrera's hand. Carlos Guillen, when asked how he was feeling Sunday morning, joked that he felt like $100 million.

Actually, in Cabrera's case, the reported number was significantly more than that. The extension, reported to be an eight-year deal through 2015 -- the Tigers are counting the one-year deal they negotiated for this season as part of the contract -- is expected to be formally announced once Cabrera clears a physical.

Diario Panorama, a newspaper based in Cabrera's home country of Venezuela, first reported the agreement Saturday morning. ESPNdeportes.com also reported the deal Saturday.

Cabrera played coy on Sunday. When a reporter offered congratulations, Cabrera cracked a slight smile and a puzzled look and said, "For what?"

Cabrera did, however, go into the reasons for wanting to stay a Tiger for the long term.

"I'm glad to be here," Cabrera said. "I want to be a part of this team for many years. I like it, and I feel comfortable here."

That's a good feeling for the Tigers, whose most pressing goal upon trading for Cabrera became signing him to a long-term contract. Without one, he would've been eligible for free agency after the 2009 season, making him one of the best young hitters on the open market since Alex Rodriguez and Manny Ramirez after the 2000 season.

"There are definitely a lot of people who want to be in our spot," said Willis, who signed a three-year, $29 million extension in December. "There are definitely a lot more people who want to be in his spot."

Jason Beck is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Sign to a long term contract

This contract feels kinda weird.

laprimamirala wrote:

This contract feels kinda weird.

Why do you say that?

It just seems way over the top for just one player. Think it might cause bad locker room karma?

It is a lengthy contract also! Eight years is a long time! Keep my crossed continues to crush the as a

No, they all know he can be a home run and RBI beast! Cheaper than A Rod, and he will be just as good, if not better.

I guess also I'm seeing the "rusty" side of him working out the kinks. I haven't seen him do anything stellar yet, even when we were there.

GO

He has been noted as being off during ST. But go back and watch some of last years games and he will show you his great power!

And remember the contract years include this year.

I think will! Starting on Opening Day!

I just hope it all works out!

Still can remember the Tigers giving big contracts to Dean Palmer and Higginson and offering that bum Gonzalez 140 million for 8 years! Thank God he turned them down.

That would have ruined the Tigers

I predict a huge season for

An MVP Season!

gs78 wrote:

I just hope it all works out!

Still can remember the Tigers giving big contracts to Dean Palmer and Higginson and offering that bum Gonzalez 140 million for 8 years! Thank God he turned them down.

That would have ruined the Tigers

That situation came to mind!

"Juan Gone Money"....at least they are paying the right guy this coin!!

tigersaint wrote:

"Juan Gone Money"....at least they are paying the right guy this coin!!

Yea! He has all the tools and where he is not top notch, at fielding, is heavily being worked on by the superior coaching staff of the Tigers. Marlins did not seem to work him correctly and he had lots of errors at 3rd base. First thing the did was many, many hours of learning correct methods of fielding, and Cabby (the name our Tigers are using for ) is VERY EAGER to become a great fielder! I think Miggys (I like that nickname better) past fielding abilities is what pissed Inge off as of losing the 3b job!

Yesterday's performance at 3rd base was an example of the improvement. I loved that out Pudge and Cabrera had worked on at throwing the runner out at third! Pudge fired a bullet to Miggy who was standing at just the right place! Got the runner out by at least 3 feet off 3rd base!

as long as he's flexible and glad to learn better ways...that will get him far.

Cabby? Miggy is sooooo much better sounding!