“Why weren’t people mad the first five years when I wasn’t getting paid?” says Cabrera.
When the news broke about the last two mega deals in MLB, most were stunned over the money involved.
First came Manny Machado, who agreed to a deal with to a 10-year, $300 million deal with the Padres. Then came Bryce Harper, who agreed to a 13-year, $330 million deal with the Phillies.
Over $600 million in contracts in 2 weeks. Jaw dropping to say the least.
But for the Tigers’ star player Miguel Cabrera, it was money that was well deserved and those players have nothing to apologize for.
Cabrera is clapping back at the haters who are criticizing the big mega contracts signed by Machado and Harper. In a story in USA Today, Cabrera addressed those who feel that players don’t deserve that much money.
“I don’t know why people get mad at us,’’ said Cabrera. “They don’t like it when we get money. Why weren’t people mad the first five years when I wasn’t getting paid?”
Based upon his experience, he’s completely right. During his first four years in the pros, Cabrera never made over $500,000 in any season while playing for the Marlins; yet he made the All Star team three out of those four years.
After signing with the Tigers in 2008, Cabrera made the All Star team in seven out of the last eleven years, and the team rewarded him with an eight-year, $244 million contract extension in 2014.
“People can say I’m not worth this contract. They can say whatever they want, really. But they’re not going to hurt my feelings.
“I’m not going to apologize. Why should anyone be sorry? I don’t see any teams losing money. They all have it.’’
Cabrera definitely has a point when you look at how much money baseball as a whole is making. According to The New York Times, MLB and Fox signed an extension this past November for seven years (through the 2028 season) to the tune of $5.1 billion. This is an increase over the current deal of $4.2 billion for eight years (expiring after the 2021 season).
When you factor in this level of money, the amount of money the teams make regionally, merchandising and the number of tickets that are sold when certain players come to town (USA Today reported that the Phillies sold roughly 220,000 tickets in the first three days after the Harper signing), you have to tip your cap to the Tigers’ first baseman.
48 hours later and still on fire 🔥🔥🔥 More @Bharper3407 jerseys have been sold across @Fanatics than any other player in company HISTORY in first 2 days after joining a new team for any sport. Philly fans coming through again!!!! pic.twitter.com/VntjZ3TYn1
— Michael Rubin (@michaelrubin) March 4, 2019
“I don’t get it, it’s crazy,’’ said Cabrera. “These are great players. They are franchise players. You look at Harper and Manny. They’re already great players, and they’re not even in their prime yet. They’re still learning. We’ve got to open our eyes because they’re going to do some unbelievable things.
“You know how many people are going to go to their games? You know how many people are going to show up on the road to see them? You know what this guy brings to a team?”
Those guys bring fans and ratings, and that brings money.
