SI.com’s Jon Heyman reports that the Tigers and Miguel Cabrera’s agent have "begun to talk" about a long-term deal. Heyman believes a deal could be hammered out fairly quickly given the nice fit with Detroit for Cabrera. Heyman doesn’t have inside info on the years or amount, but got Cabrera to admit that ten years, $200MM sounded about right.
Would an extension start with 2009, Cabrera’s last arbitration year? I imagine so, though maybe the ten years would start with 2010. Regardless, Cabrera’s level of production is truly worth $20MM annually into the forseeable future. Doesn’t hurt that he’s gotten into shape a bit, either.