Miguel Cabrera is one of the most accomplished and respected players in Major League Baseball (MLB). The Venezuelan-born first baseman, third baseman, and designated hitter has been playing for the Detroit Tigers since 2008, after spending his first five seasons with the Florida Marlins. He is a two-time American League (AL) Most Valuable Player (MVP), a four-time AL batting champion, a 12-time MLB All-Star, and a World Series champion.
He also achieved the rare feat of winning the Triple Crown in 2012, leading the AL in batting average, home runs, and runs batted in (RBI). In 2022, he became the third player in history to reach 500 home runs and 3,000 hits with a career batting average above .300, joining Hank Aaron and Willie Mays. In this article, we will explore Miguel Cabrera’s salary, net worth, career, and personal life in more detail.
Miguel Cabrera Salary
Miguel Cabrera is one of the highest-paid players in MLB history. He signed an eight-year, $152.3 million contract with the Tigers in 2008, which was then extended to a 10-year, $292 million deal in 2014. The contract made him the highest-paid player in baseball at the time, with an average annual salary of $31 million. Cabrera has earned over $385 million in his career so far, not including endorsements and bonuses. He is set to earn $32 million in 2023, which is the final guaranteed year of his contract. He also has vesting options for 2024 and 2025 worth $30 million each, which will become guaranteed if he finishes in the top 10 of the MVP voting in the previous season. If not, the Tigers can buy him out for $8 million.
Miguel Cabrera Net Worth
Miguel Cabrera’s net worth is estimated at $145 million as of 2021. This figure is based on his career earnings, endorsements, investments, and lifestyle. Cabrera has endorsement deals with brands such as Adidas, Franklin Sports, Panini, Topps, and Wilson Sporting Goods. He also owns a luxurious mansion in Birmingham, Michigan, which he bought for $3.2 million in 2010. The property features six bedrooms, seven bathrooms, a pool, a spa, a wine cellar, and a home theater.
Miguel Cabrera Career
Miguel Cabrera began his professional career at the age of 16 when he signed with the Marlins as an amateur free agent in 1999. He made his MLB debut in 2003 at the age of 20 and hit a walk-off home run in his first game. He helped the Marlins win the World Series that year as their cleanup hitter. He continued to play for the Marlins until 2007, earning four All-Star selections and two Silver Slugger awards. He also led the National League (NL) in hits and doubles in 2006.
In 2008, Cabrera was traded to the Tigers along with Dontrelle Willis for six prospects. He quickly established himself as one of the best hitters in the AL, winning his first batting title and home run title in 2008. He also led the AL in RBI twice (2010 and 2012) and won four more Silver Slugger awards. In 2012, he had his best season ever when he won the Triple Crown with a .330 batting average, 44 home runs, and 139 RBI. He also won his first MVP award and led the Tigers to the World Series, where they lost to the San Francisco Giants.
In 2013, Cabrera repeated as the AL MVP and batting champion with a career-high .348 average. He also won his second consecutive Hank Aaron Award as the best hitter in the league. He led the Tigers to another AL pennant but fell short of winning the World Series again against the Boston Red Sox. In 2014, he won his fourth batting title with a .313 average and helped the Tigers win their fourth straight AL Central division title.
Cabrera’s production declined slightly from 2015 to 2017 due to injuries and age. However, he still made three more All-Star teams and won another Silver Slugger award in 2016. He also reached several milestones during this period, such as becoming the first Venezuelan player to hit 400 home runs and joining the exclusive club of players with at least 2,500 hits and 500 doubles.
Cabrera’s career took a major hit in 2018 when he suffered a season-ending biceps injury that limited him to only 38 games. He returned in 2019 but struggled to regain his form, hitting only .282 with 12 home runs and 59 RBI in 136 games. He also became embroiled in a legal dispute with his ex-mistress over child support payments for their two children. In 2020, he played in 57 games during the shortened season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He hit .250 with 10 home runs and 35 RBI.
In 2021, Cabrera bounced back with a solid season, hitting .256 with 15 home runs and 75 RBI in 130 games. He also achieved two historic feats: hitting his 500th career home run on August 22 against the Toronto Blue Jays and collecting his 3,000th career hit on September 24 against the Kansas City Royals. He became the seventh player in MLB history to reach both milestones and the first to do so in the same season. He also became the first player to hit his 500th home run in Canada and his 3,000th hit in Detroit.
In 2022, Cabrera continued to add to his legacy, making his 12th All-Star appearance and hitting his 508th career home run, surpassing Mel Ott for 14th place on the all-time list. He also helped the Tigers improve their record and compete for a playoff spot.
Personal Life
Miguel Cabrera married his childhood sweetheart Rosangel on June 17, 2002. They have three children together: two daughters, Rosangel and Isabella, and a son, Christopher. Cabrera is a devout Catholic who wears a rosary around his neck and makes the sign of the cross before each at-bat. He is also involved in several charitable causes, such as supporting children’s hospitals, schools, and orphanages in Venezuela and Detroit. He has been nominated twice for the Roberto Clemente Award by his teammates for his humanitarian efforts.
Cabrera has also faced some personal challenges and controversies throughout his career. In 2009, he was arrested for drunk driving and resisting arrest in Florida. He was sentenced to community service and alcohol abuse counseling. In 2017, he was sued by his ex-mistress Belkis Rodriguez for increased child support payments for their two children. The case was settled out of court in 2019. In 2018, he was accused of domestic violence by his wife Rosangel, who called the police after he allegedly pushed her and slapped her phone out of her hand during an argument. No charges were filed and the couple reconciled.
Conclusion
Miguel Cabrera is one of the greatest hitters of all time and a future Hall of Famer. He has achieved remarkable feats and accolades in his career, such as winning the Triple Crown, hitting 500 home runs and 3,000 hits, and becoming a two-time MVP. He has also overcome many obstacles and challenges, both on and off the field, to become a respected leader and a role model for many young players. He is still playing at a high level at the age of 40 and hopes to win his first World Series ring with the Tigers before he retires.
Most Asked Questions and Answers
Q: How old is Miguel Cabrera? A: Miguel Cabrera is 40 years old as of April 18, 2023.
Q: How tall is Miguel Cabrera? A: Miguel Cabrera is 6 feet 4 inches (193 cm) tall.
Q: How much does Miguel Cabrera weigh? A: Miguel Cabrera weighs 267 pounds (121 kg).
Q: What is Miguel Cabrera’s position?
A: Miguel Cabrera plays primarily as a first baseman, but he can also play as a third baseman or a designated hitter.
Q: What team does Miguel Cabrera play for?
A: Miguel Cabrera plays for the Detroit Tigers of the American League.
Q: What number does Miguel Cabrera wear?
A: Miguel Cabrera wears number 24 on his jersey.
Q: When did Miguel Cabrera make his MLB debut?
A: Miguel Cabrera made his MLB debut on June 20, 2003, for the Florida Marlins.
Q: When did Miguel Cabrera win the Triple Crown?
A: Miguel Cabrera won the Triple Crown in 2012, leading the American League with a .330 batting average, 44 home runs, and 139 RBI.
Q: When did Miguel Cabrera hit his 500th home run?
A: Miguel Cabrera hit his 500th home run on August 22, 2021, against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre.
Q: When did Miguel Cabrera get his 3,000th hit?
A: Miguel Cabrera got his 3,000th hit on September 24, 2021, against the Kansas City Royals at Comerica Park.