Tiger legend Cabrera visits old friend Verlander and will soon join the Venezuelan team in a new role

Miguel Cabrera said that as soon as Justin Verlander's return to the Detroit Tigers was announced, he sent him a message.

“I told him I wanted to come back too,” Cabrera said, followed by his iconic hearty laugh.

No, Cabrera is not coming back to play. He’s been happy and healthy since retiring. But seeing the Tigers come together again has made him very joyful. Today, the current special assistant to the Tigers kept smiling while visiting the spring training camp.

Cabrera’s Tigers career bridges both Verlander’s era and the current young talented generation. When the Tigers acquired Cabrera from the Marlins in 2007, Verlander was just emerging as a star. A decade later, Verlander was traded to the Houston Astros, marking the start of the Tigers’ rebuild, but Cabrera remained the star, with a contract almost guaranteeing he would finish his career in Detroit. His pursuit of 500 home runs and 3000 hits coincides with the arrival of young prospects like Tarik Skubal, Spencer Torkelson, Riley Greene, and Kerry Carpenter.

“It’s amazing to see Verlander back in Detroit,” Cabrera said, “especially with this team now. We have so much talent. We have Skubal. Man, he’s something special...”

“Watching this team play last year was exciting for me because when they reached the majors, I was nearing the end of my career. Seeing them perform so well now is incredible. I really enjoy watching them play.”

Cabrera admitted that in some ways, it made him nostalgic for his days in Detroit.

“Yeah, I miss it,” he said, “but not playing. My body can’t handle it anymore. But sometimes, I do get nostalgic.”

However, he stays involved through coaching and mentoring. In recent days at spring training, he worked out with Tigers infielders and practiced hitting with rookie Josue Briceño, who is also from Venezuela.

Next, Cabrera will join the Venezuelan team as a hitting coach for the World Baseball Classic, working alongside former Tigers teammate and friend Victor Martinez.

“I think coaching the Venezuelan team will be a great experience,” he said. “I’m excited. I hope to do my best to guide the hitters, help us win, and advance to the second round.”

He explained that much of coaching young hitters involves mindset—understanding how opponents will pitch to you and being aware of the situation you’re in.

“It’s a strategic matter,” he said, “it’s about ‘slowing down the game.’ Baseball is a physical sport, but even more a mental battle. You have to slow your thoughts, not overthink, and play your own game.”

“These players are very talented. Train hard, trust the strategy, believe in your abilities, and just go out and play baseball. Now we have so much data and stats to study before games. But during the game, you have to focus on the game itself. Play well and give it your all.”

Cabrera is one of the greatest strategists ever. That’s how he reached the 3000-hit, 500-home run club, and why when he becomes eligible for the Hall of Fame vote in three years, he will knock on Cooperstown’s door.

He’s not ready to think about that yet.

“Oh, I don’t want to think about that,” he said. “It makes me anxious because we don’t know what will happen. I have to wait. Wait for that year.”