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Detroit Tigers: 5 Notable Stats from Fangraph’s 2019 Steamer Projections

By Andy Patton

TORONTO, ON - JUNE 30: Niko Goodrum #28 of the Detroit Tigers cannot come up with an infield single hit by Devon Travis #29 of the Toronto Blue Jays in the eighth inning during MLB game action at Rogers Centre on June 30, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - JUNE 30: Niko Goodrum #28 of the Detroit Tigers cannot come up with an infield single hit by Devon Travis #29 of the Toronto Blue Jays in the eighth inning during MLB game action at Rogers Centre on June 30, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /
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Detroit Tigers
TORONTO, ON – SEPTEMBER 9: Miguel Cabrera #24 of the Detroit Tigers hits a two-run home run in the first inning during MLB game action against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on September 9, 2017 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /

Miguel Cabrera – 25 home runs

It’s no secret that Miguel Cabrera is getting up there in age. He missed nearly all of the 2018 season with a back injury, and at age 35 he is likely relegated to just DH duties from here on out.

Steamer must think he’s going to DH full-time as well, otherwise I doubt they’d project the big fella for a team-leading 649 plate appearances next season. Steamer also thinks Miggy will still be an elite hitter, although not quite at the level he was five years ago.

Still, a .282/.368/.479 line with 25 home runs, 88 RBI, a 132 wRC+ and a 2.7 fWAR would be a very nice boost for the Tigers, who are in desperate need of some production out of Miggy and his gargantuan eight-year, $248 million dollar contract that runs through 2023.

25 home runs and a .282 average may seem far-fetched after his last two seasons, but it’s important to remember that Miggy hit .318 with 38 jacks as recently as 2016.

Plus, health has been an issue the last two years. I think these numbers are a bit ambitious, but entirely possible if he manages to stay healthy – which of course is a big if.

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