DETROIT -- As expected, Jose Cabrera reportedly cleared revocable waivers, allowing him to be traded to any team. But just as expected, he's not going anywhere.
Jon Heyman of MLB Network reported Monday that Cabrera was among several veteran Tigers to clear waivers, joining Justin Verlander.
Glossary: Trade waivers and the Aug. 31 "Deadline"
It's the dance of trade waivers in August, when anyone and everyone can be placed on waivers to either explore trade interest or clear the way for an August deal. Many teams place most of their roster on waivers as a formality once the non-waiver Trade Deadline passes on July 31. If another club puts in a claim, the team that placed him on waivers can either attempt to work out a trade, let the claiming team have the player and his contract, or pull the player back from waivers and not trade him until at least the offseason.
It's that second option, the possibility of a team putting in a claim and ending up with the entire contract, that allows players like Cabrera and Verlander to clear waivers. Though Cabrera is a four-time batting champion, a two-time American League MVP and a Triple Crown winner, he's under contract through at least 2023, when he'll be a 40-year-old with a $32 million salary. He'll make $184 million over the next five seasons.
Though some teams, including the Astros, expressed interest in Cabrera while the Tigers explored trading several veterans last offseason, no deal ever came close -- partly because of the contract, partly because of the prospects the Tigers wanted in return.
Cabrera, meanwhile, is limping through this summer with some of his lowest production numbers of any season in the Majors. The 34-year-old is batting .253 with 21 doubles, 14 homers, 57 RBIs and a .745 OPS while batting groin, back and ankle issues. He left Monday's Tigers game at Colorado with lower back tightness.