Detroit Tigers slugger Miguel Cabrera may not be close to the MVP form he had a few years back but as he eyes the start of the 2021 MLB season, Cabrera says he has some major personal goals on his mind.
Cabrera is closing in on two major career milestones, as he is only 13 home runs shy of the 500 mark, and he is 134 hits away from 3,000 on his career, numbers that are at the forefront of Cabrera’s mind.
“I hope so. We can do both,” Cabrera said (h/t ESPN). “I want to be healthy, and I want to do my best, and I want to do whatever I can to help the team to win games,” he continued. Cabrera has battled a slew of injuries over the past few seasons.
Hank Aaron, Alex Rodriguez, Albert Pujols, Willie Mays, Rafael Palmeiro and Eddie Murray are the only players in league history to reach the milestones of 500 homeruns and 3,000 hits during their careers.
Cabrera, 37, didn’t play in the field last season, but Tigers manager A.J. Hinch certainly seemed open to Cabrera playing first base this upcoming season.
“He wants to play first. I didn’t know he voiced it near as much as I learned after I even said it,” Hinch said. “My plan for him is to make an opportunity for him to be a little more of a complete player, and not just fall in the DH category.”
“I love playing baseball,” Cabrera said. “I love having fun in the field. I love going out there every night.”
