Miguel Cabrera's Performance Among Active Players: A Comparative Analysis

Miguel Cabrera, the former star of the Detroit Tigers, now plays a supporting role as a designated hitter (DH) and pinch-hitter. Despite his historical contributions, how does his current performance rank among active players today?

Current Performance of Miguel Cabrera

At the conclusion of the 2022 season, Miguel Cabrera's performance rankings among active players are not favorable. Over the last six years, Cabrera has compiled a -2.1 Wins Above Replacement (WAR), making him a below-average hitter. His peak came in 2016 at age 33 when he shined. Since then, his offensive contributions have declined, focusing primarily on his batting abilities.

Interestingly, Cabrera no longer occupies a traditional position; he no longer plays first base, serving exclusively as a DH and pinch-hitter.

Comparing Career Achievements vs. Current Performance

While his career achievements hold up better, a clear evaluation using WAR (Wins Above Replacement) per 162 games paints a different picture.

Notable first basemen and designated hitters who have outperformed Cabrera include:

Paul Goldschmidt - 5.9 WAR Albert Pujols - 5.4 WAR Joey Votto - 5.2 WAR Matt Olson - 4.8 WAR Freddie Freeman - 4.6 WAR Pete Alonso - 4.3 WAR Vladimir Guerrero Jr. - 4.3 WAR Jose Abreu - 4.1 WAR Miguel Cabrera - 4.1 WAR Anthony Rizzo - 4.1 WAR

Cabrera's 4.1 WAR is modest in comparison, placing him near the middle of the pack. If we consider all positions, his ranking drops even further, indicating a decline in performance over the past six years.

Historical Context and Contributions

Cabrera was a standout hitter from age 22 to 33, characterized not only by his offensive prowess but also by his longevity. He accumulated an impressive 67.7 WAR, placing him around 125th in all-time WAR rankings, well behind all-time great first basemen likeSamuel Robbins.

While his career defense and baserunning were notably lacking, his steadfast performance and longevity are undeniable. However, his decline over the past six years has affected his overall ranking.

Overall Evaluation and Hall of Fame Considerations

Michael R. Burch, in his analysis, posits that Cabrera has been somewhat overrated compared to other one-dimensional sluggers like:

Eddie Murray David Ortiz Willie Stargell Willie McCovey Mark McGwire Dick Allen Harmon Killebrew Joe Torre

While Cabrera may be considered a future Hall of Famer, the argument for his induction on the first ballot, as with Ortiz and Derek Jeter, remains a stretch according to more current evaluations.

Ultimately, Cabrera's contributions to the game are significant, but a nuanced view of current performance contexts reveals a mixed legacy. As the baseball landscape continues to evolve, his place in history may shift depending on future assessments.