Detroit Tigers and Miguel Cabrera shock MLB and reach $248 million eight-year contract extension

Detroit Tigers' Miguel Cabrera has without a doubt been a classy, and important player for the Tigers, but the MLB were in shock yesterday, as the Tigers handed him an eight-year extension, believed to be worth $248 million. The powerful hitter is 30, and the contract will run through until 2023, meaning he will be 39 when it reaches its end.

Whilst it's important for the Tigers to keep their man, and many are happy they've achieved that, the problem people are noting is his age and durability. At thirty he is likely to start a rapid decline, and it will be hard to keep up the MVP performances he's had over the past few seasons. If the Tigers were to pay a player capable of eight years like his last two, then the $248 million is a little price to pay, but ultimately it's a risky move, that looks unlikely to pay off.

With the Cleveland Indians rapidly improving the Tigers should be worried about the future, and this move screams of desperation, with many saying the same things regarding the price and his age. He currently had two years and $44 million remaining, but now he is guaranteed a total of $292 million over the next ten years, which breaks Alex Rodriguez's record of a 10-year, $275 million deal.

Miguel has been in Detroit since 2007, and it's clear they believe he should stick around for a long while, but will they come to regret this move? Teams take this kind of risk in the NFL because large portions of the contract are not guaranteed, but the scary factor of this contract is every single penny is now owed to Miguel, no matter how he performs.