Ex-Marlins exec: Cabrera 'stuck' in Detroit, wanted to return to Miami

The Detroit News
Miguel Cabrera

Former Marlins president David Samson says Tigers slugger Miguel Cabrera is disgruntled and feeling underappreciated in Detroit.

“What I feel badly about is that he’s stuck in Detroit,” Samson said on CBS Sports HQ.

“He always wanted to come back to Miami. Every time I’d see him, over the years, at All-Star Games, (he would say), ‘Hey, I’m ready to come home.’ And we just didn’t have the payroll capacity.”

Cabrera, 35, was a four-time All-Star in five seasons with the Marlins and won a World Series ring in 2003.

Cabrera, who is on the disabled list with a strained hamstring and back stiffness, is batting .323 with three homers and 21 RBIs in 93 at-bats this year.

On Tuesday, Cabrera grew irritated when reporters asked him about his health. He said he won't play hurt anymore, as he said he did last season. He said fans don't appreciate his efforts.

“I went through a lot last year, so I don’t want to do the same thing,” Cabrera said. “Nobody appreciates when you play hurt. I’m going to take my time and play when I am good. I played a lot of years hurt here in Detroit. They (fans) don’t appreciate that."

“When you are doing bad, they crush you. They crush you. They say you are bad. They say you should go home. You don’t deserve anything. You are old. So I say, OK, I’m done playing hurt. Now I am going to take my time (returning).”