Wojo: The Miggy We Knew Is Probably Gone

An injured Miguel Cabrera leaves Tuesday's game.

Doctors say Miguel Cabrera should be able to return to the Tigers' lineup in 2019. Cabrera, who turns 35 next Wednesday, still should be effective.

But the perrenial All-Star fans enthusiastically embraced won't be the same, Bob Wojnowski of The Detroit News writes:

The harsh truth is, it’s probably the end of Cabrera as we once knew him, a legendary hitter, the indomitable bulk of a franchise. It’s an ending that was hard to watch, but unfortunately, you could see it coming. Cabrera’s body had been breaking down for a while, and with every twinge and wince, the toll was mounting.

Now the cost is huge for Cabrera, out for the season with a torn left biceps tendon. As he sat at his locker Wednesday, a black brace clamped on his left arm, he spoke in a low tone and used the word “shocked’ several times. The cost is prohibitive for the Tigers too, who still owe Cabrera at least $154 million the next five seasons.

This doesn’t have to be about the contract, which looks awful but was never going to look good since the day Mike Ilitch offered the eight-year extension in 2014. This should be about the player and the challenge ahead because the money is committed regardless, and was always going to be paid for past performance.