Dave Dombrowski expecting Miguel Cabrera to be an effective third baseman – MLB News
There is growing sense that Miguel Cabrera will be ineffective at third base. Many analysts and baseball writers are of the view that Cabrera does not have the defensive skills to perform third base duties efficiently. Having put on a great amount of weight in the last few years, he might struggle to get to the ball that comes at a slightly different trajectory at third base.
However, Tigers’ General Manger Dave Dombrowski is convinced that Cabrera can play third base better than Brandon Inge. Cabrera batted with an incredible .344 average with 105 RBIs and 30 home-runs last season. His .950 OPS was also quite astonishing.
Dombrowski further added that, with some more work on his defensive skills, Cabrera can become one of the best third baseman in the game. Cabrera's defensive skills may not be as good as Inge's, he certainly has better offensive skills.
Cabrera will be replacing Brandon Inge at third base this season. Inge gave decent results last season and he was hoping to secure a permanent place as a third baseman for Tigers. However, with Tigers signing a $214 million contract with Prince Fielder, Cabrera was asked to perform third base duties this season. Inge will now have to sit on the bench and wait for an opportunity to prove his metal.
According to sources, the Tigers have acquired Fielder to utilise two of the best hitters in the game to their maximum capacity. Dombrowski explained that Cabrera may not be the best third baseman from defensive point of view; he is one of the best hitters in baseball right now.
Cabrera also wants to shut his critics up by living up to the expectations. In an interview, he stated that he will be training hard to lose some weight this season. Playing at third base, he will have an excellent opportunity to show his critics that he is a multi-dimensional player.
It will not be wrong to say that no one in the Tigers expect Cabrera to defend like Inge or win the Golden Glove award. His primary job will be to score runs. If he can hit home-runs and RBIs consistently, nobody in the organisation will mind his defensive errors at third base.
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