More money for Cab fare….

To break it down, this deal is statistically sound and financially clever. Talks between the Detroit Tigers and the perennial All-Star three bagger Miguel Cabrera are on the upside. The upside of these talks will send 153 million to the pockets of Cabrera and leave the Tigers in the upper echelons of a payroll contender. Only season’s end will provide the fitting conclusion to this very expensive World Series ticket investment.

I would like to applaud the Detroit Tigers. Not for trying to buy their way to a world series ring, but for getting ahead of the inflation curve and locking up a proven talent at a fair market cost. Baseball expenses are growing at such an unpredictable rate. Not before long 150 million will be the benchmark for a proven player. 5 years of consistent performance is a good indicator of performance over a longer MLB career. By then Rookie luck and sophomore slumps have subsided and all that is left is the ball player.

Cabrera’s contract will be the 4th largest in the league history. Cabrera would be the caboose in this money train: Manny Ramirez’s 160 million, Derek Jeter’s 189 million and the engine himself Alex Rodriguez at 275 million. When paying the monumental fees that talent now demands what type of productivity is a club investing in? Since Cabrera is on the sun rise of his prime the Tigers foresight may prove good dividends to their season ticket holders. Look at the first five relevant years of the other major players:


In examination of key statistical contributions, Cabrera shows himself relevant in all categories. He hits for average and power. His slugging percentage and OBP demonstrates his ability to extend the inning. Post Season success can be fueled by individual performance and the tigers just purchased their lineup spark plug. For a veteran line up that now graces Comerica Park including Magglio Ordonez, Edgar Renteria, and Gary Sheffield; Cabrera will be the legal performance enhancer.

Fantasy gurus and baseball pundits will head the congratulatory parade if the results pay off for the Tigers. But, strip away the investment, the predictions, and the obvious boost to the top heavy Detroit payroll and you have proven entity that will satisfy a growing Tiger fan base. The Tigers have seemingly beaten inflation, now they just need to beat the rest of the AL. The Tigers payroll has seen it sky rocket from roughly 69 million in 2005 to nearly 130 million in 2007. But one thing that baseball can still take solace in is that championships cannot be bought…the talent still needs to perform. Enjoy your money Miguel.