Detroit Tigers great Miguel Cabrera for the first time on Thursday said this may be the final season in his Hall of Fame career.
Cabrera, who battled health issues in 2022, had previously stated he wanted to play through the end of the 2023 season, when he’s owed $32 million in the final fully guaranteed year of his contract.
“I’ve got to talk to my agent, I’ve got to talk to the GM, I’ve got to talk to everybody [to] see what’s going to be the plan for next year,” Cabrera told reporters ahead of Detroit’s game against the visiting Tampa Bay Rays. “Right now we don’t know. We’re focused on today. We’re going to go day by day and see what happens. I don’t think about next year. I’m thinking about trying to finish healthy this year.”
The 39-year-old said he has been playing through knee pain in recent weeks and will be limited to just every other day during Detroit’s six-game homestand.
“You’ve got to understand your body,” Cabrera said. “I understand my body and I understand my position now on this team. I’m OK. I’m going to keep working. Every time they give me a chance to play I’m going to go out there and do my best. That’s the bottom line. That’s what matters. And it’s an opportunity for young guys here to get more at-bats and see what we’ve got for next year.”
Cabrera made history earlier this year, recording his 3,000th hit to become the seventh member of the 500 HR/3,000 hit club.
After a stellar May, however, Cabrera’s numbers have come back down to earth. Entering Thursday, he’s slashing .271/.321/.336 with four home runs and 36 RBIs this season. And he has just three extra-base hits in his last 21 games.