Miggy visits old friend Verlander before joining Team Venezuela in new role

LAKELAND, Fla. -- Miguel Cabrera said he sent a text to Justin Verlander as soon as news emerged of Verlander’s return to the Tigers.

“I told him I want to come back, too,” Cabrera said, followed by his familiar bellowing laugh.

No, Miggy isn’t coming back to play. He’s happy and healthy in retirement. He’s overjoyed to see his Tigers coming together again, though. The smile on his face was a constant Monday morning as the current special assistant continued his visit to camp.

Cabrera’s Tiger tenure bridged the Verlander era and the current generation of young talent. Verlander was just emerging as a superstar when the Tigers acquired Cabrera from the Marlins in 2007. Verlander’s trade to Houston a decade later marked the start of the Tigers’ rebuild, but Cabrera was the one star who stayed, his contract virtually assuring he’d finish his career in Detroit. His chase of 500 home runs and 3,000 hits coincided with the arrival of young stars Tarik Skubal, Spencer Torkelson, Riley Greene and Kerry Carpenter.

“To see [Verlander] again in Detroit is awesome,” Cabrera said, “especially with this team we have right now. We have a lot of talent. We've got Skubal. Oh my God, he's special. …

“Watching this team last year, to me it was exciting for me, because I was in the process [of finishing my career] when they went to the big leagues. So to see how good they are right now, it's amazing. I enjoy watching them.”

In some ways, Cabrera admits, it makes him miss being in Detroit.

“Yeah, I miss it,” he said. “But to play, no. My body can't take any more. But sometimes, I miss it.”

Instead, he’s staying involved through coaching and instruction. His last couple days in camp have featured work with Tigers infielders, and hitting work with Tigers prospect and fellow Venezuelan Josue Briceño.

From here, Cabrera will join Team Venezuela, where he’ll be coaching hitters alongside former Tigers teammate and good friend Victor Martinez for the World Baseball Classic.

“I think it's going to be a great experience for me to coach [Team] Venezuela,” he said. “I'm excited. I hope I can do my best to coach the hitters and try to win games and go to the second round.”

A lot of his hitting instruction with young players, he said, focuses on the mental side of the game, knowing how opponents will attack you and knowing the situation you face.

“It's [about] approach,” he said, “It's, 'slow the game down.' This game is physical, but it's a mental game. You have to slow down your mind, don't try to do too much and play your game.

“They have a lot of talent here. Work hard, trust in the approach, trust in the talent they have, go out there and play baseball. We have right now a lot of numbers, stats, you can focus on before the game. But during the game, you have to worry about playing the game. Play the game right and play hard.”

Cabrera was among the best ever at approach. It’s how he got to the 3,000-hit, 500-homer club, and how he’ll punch his ticket into the Baseball Hall of Fame when he becomes eligible for the ballot in three years.

He’s not ready to think about that.

“Oh, I don't want to think about that,” he said. “Makes me anxious because we don't know what's going to happen. I have to wait. Let's wait for that year.”