Detroit Tigers: Who will be the Tigers next Hall of Famer?

Miguel Cabrera

Should Torii Hunter, Victor Martinez or Curtis Granderson ever hear their name called for Cooperstown, it would likely be years after they first arrive on the ballot.

That means that even if they do make it, Miguel Cabrera will already have his plaque in Cooperstown.

Cabrera is a no-doubt first ballot Hall of Famer, and he will go in wearing a Detroit Tigers hat.

Even coming off his rough 2017 season, Miggy’s career numbers are slam dunk Hall of Fame worthy.

He boasts a career slash line of .317/.395/.553 with 462 home runs, 1,613 RBI, 2,636 hits, 545 doubles, a 151 OPS+ and a 68.8 bWAR.

He is an 11 time All-Star and has won 7 Silver Slugger Awards, two MVP’s, four batting titles and the 2012 Triple Crown.

All this through only his age 34 season.

Miggy will be moving to DH after the 2018 season with Victor Martinez leaving. That should allow his career to last a few more years. Even if his decline continues, he should have no problem eclipsing 500 home runs and 3,000 hits, a mark only four players have ever achieved.

Cabrera has been in the league fifteen seasons. He spent his first five years in Florida before coming to Detroit in the infamous trade that brought the Tigers Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis in exchange for prospects Cameron Maybin and Andrew Miller, among others.

While he was very, very good in Florida, his career took off in the Motor City. He has posted a ridiculous .319/.398/.558 line in Detroit, with a 155 OPS+ and 50.6 bWAR.

It’s safe to assume that Miguel Cabrera will be in the Hall of Fame his first time on the ballot, and that his plaque will have him wearing a Detroit Tigers hat.

How long until that happens depends on how much longer he plays, but rest assured it will not be another two decades before the Tigers see one of their own inducted into Cooperstown.

Next: Predicting the 2018 Bullpen

The last decade has been a successful one for the Tigers. Amidst a rebuilding period, it will be nice to see many greats from Detroit’s past up for the Hall of Fame in the next few years.

Ultimately, fans will likely have to wait until Miguel Cabrera is inducted on his first ballot to see their next Hall of Famer. However, Justin Verlander should follow suit soon thereafter. Plus, there’s always a chance that one of Granderson, Martinez or Hunter sneaks in.

Plus, we can all hope that one of our prospects pans out and helps jump start the next wave of elite baseball in the Motor City.