Detroit Tigers: Houston Astros Interested in Miguel Cabrera

Could you imagine Detroit Tigers icon Miguel Cabrera playing in a Houston Astros jersey? Per reports, the Astros are looking into the possibility of adding Cabrera to their team.

It is no secret that the Detroit Tigers first-baseman is good friends with the Astros second baseman Jose Altuve. This could be a turning point for Cabrera and it could open up a lot of money in Detroit.

If he were to go, it could be a difficult pill for the Detroit fanbase to swallow. But, a trade of this magnitude would certainly prove that Al Avila wasn’t joking around about making the Tigers leaner and faster.

What is the reality that this trade could happen?

It was reported by MLB reporter Jon Morosi earlier today on Twitter.

In today’s world of baseball, it is clear that anything is possible. Miguel Cabrera has been a major asset for the Tigers, but he is getting older – as we all know. Defensively, he can’t do much other than play first base and those in the know claim he does not want to be a DH. If the Astros do not get Cabrera, then their next option is Edwin Encarnacion. But, the move to Miggy makes more sense for the team.

Money on the Line

Will Cabrera leave Detroit? With the safety and security that Cabrera has in Detroit, the deal has to be unbelievable. The veteran has a no-trade clause and guaranteed money until 2022. Cabrera is scheduled to make $28 million in 2017, $30 million in 2019-2021, and then $32 million in 2022. Detroit is on the hook for this ridiculous salary -no matter what – so the Astros deal would have to be one for the ages.

But, on the flip side, the Tigers could practically buy a brand new team with the money they would save if they were able to lose the Cabrera contract. The Astros had a 25-man opening day team payroll that was under $100 million in 2016.

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To put this in perspective, the 2017 contracts of Cabrera, Justin Verlander, Justin Upton, and Jordan Zimmermann is only $2 million less than the 25-man roster cost Houston. Throw in the $6 million that is still going to Prince Fielder and, well…do I really have to type it?

Who’s Available?

What could the Tigers get in exchange for Miggy? The Astros have a larger minor league system than the Tigers have and the team currently owns one of the top prospects in all of baseball. Shortstop Alex Bregman played in 49 games with the ‘Stros, mostly at third base. But, as a shortstop, he can handle practically any position on the diamond. In 217 plate appearances, he has an OBP of .313, a SLG of .478, hitting 8 home runs, 13 doubles, and 3 triples.

The Astros also have a handful of pitchers and Joseph Musgrove is a right-hander who is the real deal. The 23-year-old pitcher threw in 11 games in 2016 earning an ERA of 4.06 with an average of 8 strikeouts per nine.

Next: Free Agent Pitchers Worth Pursuing

Will Cabrera be a Tiger for the rest of his career? At this point, if the price is right and Miggy wants to switch teams….possibly.