Tigers Miguel Cabrera: Can We Expect Another Top-20 Season in 2017?

By Bill Pivetz | Nov 15, 2016

Oct 2, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Detroit Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera (24) bats against the Atlanta Braves in the first inning at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /

Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera rebounded nicely in 2016. With a clean bill of health entering the 2017 season, can we get another top-20 season?

The Detroit Tigers had some hits and misses throughout the 2016 season. Some players regressed while others rebounded and put him numbers we haven’t seen in years. This player I’m talking about fell into the latter category. First baseman Miguel Cabrera bounced back greatly last season. Can we expect another season like that or is the magic gone?

Entering last season, Cabrera came off arguably the worst season of his career. He played in 119 games, the least since his 2003 rookie season. While his batting average and on-base percentage were fine, .338 and .440 respectively, the counting stats were not good.

Cabrera hit 18 home runs and 76 RBI. Again, those numbers were the lowest since his rookie season. He finished No. 46 among hitters on the Player Rater at the end of the season. Most of the decline can be contributed to injuries, so fantasy owners were ready to jump back on the Cabrera draft train.

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He was the No. 14 overall pick in ESPN leagues in 2016. By season’s end, he provided those fantasy owners with a great season.

Cabrera played in 158 games and dominated along the way. He hit 38 home runs, 108 RBI and .316 with 92 runs scored. He also had a .393 OBP and 116:75 K:BB ratio.

All-in-all, Cabrera’s 2016 was a big bounce back from 2015, and even 2014 in some cases. He was the No. 15 hitter on the Player Rater at the end of the 2016 season.

Entering 2017, Cabrera is slated to be the Tigers starting first baseman. However, MLB Trade Rumors posted that the Tigers front office is looking to get the team younger and cut some payroll.

What that means is Cabrera, and others, could end up somewhere else at the start of the 2017 season. The Houston Astros were the team everything thought of, but they seemed to have backed away from any potential deal. Until something official posts, this projection will reflect him staying with Detroit next season.

The Tigers need to upgrade a couple of positions, most notably shortstop and catcher. Detroit still has some good pieces on offense to support Cabrera. If they can hit just as well, Cabrera will have another great season.

Next: Neil Walker Stays With Mets, 2017 Fantasy Value

Cabrera will turn 34 in April, but he’s playing like he was 24. Another 30 home runs 100 RBI and .300 average is all but guaranteed. He is my No. 4 first baseman and a lock for a second round pick. If he or one of the first baseman ahead of him switches teams, then things become interesting.

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