LAKELAND, Florida – When Justin Verlander's return to Detroit became official, Miguel Cabrera wasted no time reaching out to his longtime friend. The retired slugger immediately sent a text message that captured both his trademark humor and enduring love for the game.
"I told him I want to come back, too," Cabrera recounted Monday morning at Tigers spring training, his distinctive hearty laugh echoing through the facility.
While Cabrera made it clear he's not planning a playing comeback—his body has reached its limit after a legendary 21-year career—his passion for baseball remains as strong as ever. The 41-year-old former MVP is discovering new ways to contribute to the sport he loves, first as a special assistant in the Tigers organization and now as a coach for Team Venezuela in the upcoming World Baseball Classic.
Cabrera's presence at the Tigers' Lakeland camp this week serves as a bridge between two eras of Detroit baseball. When the Tigers acquired him from the Florida Marlins in 2007, Verlander was already establishing himself as a superstar. Together, they formed the core of a team that would dominate the American League Central for years. When Verlander was traded to Houston in 2017, marking the beginning of Detroit's rebuilding phase, Cabrera remained the constant, the franchise icon whose contract and loyalty ensured he would finish his career where it began.
During those later years, Cabrera witnessed the emergence of the Tigers' current generation of stars. He shared the clubhouse with young talents like Tarik Skubal, Spencer Torkelson, Riley Greene, and Kerry Carpenter as they made their major league debuts. Now, watching them develop into cornerstone players brings him immense satisfaction.
"To see [Verlander] again in Detroit is awesome," Cabrera said, his face lighting up with a constant smile during his visit. "Especially with this team we have right now. We have a lot of talent. We've got Skubal. Oh my God, he's special."
Cabrera's admiration for the current roster extends beyond individual talent. He expressed genuine excitement about the team's trajectory after following their progress throughout the previous season.
"Watching this team last year, to me it was exciting," he explained. "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."
The transition from active player to retired legend hasn't been without its emotional challenges. Cabrera candidly admitted that seeing the team come together sometimes stirs nostalgic feelings about his playing days.
"Yeah, I miss it," he confessed. "But to play, no. My body can't take any more. But sometimes, I miss it."
Rather than dwelling on what he can no longer do physically, Cabrera has embraced his new coaching role as a mentor and instructor. His recent time at camp has been spent working closely with Tigers infielders on their defensive fundamentals and providing hitting guidance to prospects, including fellow Venezuelan Josue Briceño. This hands-on approach allows him to stay connected to the game while passing down the wisdom accumulated over two decades at the highest level.
His coaching journey will soon take him to an even larger stage. After wrapping up his duties in Lakeland, Cabrera will join Team Venezuela's coaching staff for the World Baseball Classic, where he'll serve as a hitting coach alongside his former Tigers teammate and close friend Victor Martinez. The opportunity to represent his home country in a coaching capacity represents a new chapter in his baseball story.
"I think it's going to be a great experience for me to coach [Team] Venezuela," Cabrera 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."
Cabrera's approach to coaching emphasizes the psychological aspects of hitting, an area where he excelled throughout his career. While physical mechanics are important, he believes the mental game separates good hitters from great ones.
His instruction focuses heavily on approach and mental preparation. He teaches young players to slow the game down mentally, a skill that becomes increasingly crucial as the competition intensifies.
"This game is physical, but it's a mental game," Cabrera emphasized. "You have to slow down your mind, don't try to do too much and play your game."
He encourages players to trust their natural abilities while maintaining a disciplined mindset. In an era where analytics and advanced statistics dominate pre-game preparation, Cabrera stresses the importance of staying present during actual competition.
"They have a lot of talent here," he noted. "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."
Cabrera's philosophy reflects the wisdom of a player who posted a .306 lifetime batting average, won two MVP awards, and collected 3,174 hits. He understands that information overload can paralyze a hitter, and that success often comes from simplifying the approach and trusting one's instincts.
The reunion with Verlander adds another layer of significance to Cabrera's visit. The two shared countless memories in Detroit, from division titles to World Series appearances. Seeing his former teammate return to where it all began while the Tigers' young core matures creates a sense of continuity that Cabrera finds deeply satisfying.
As he moves between the Tigers' camp and his national team duties, Cabrera embodies the role of baseball ambassador—connecting generations, cultures, and eras of the game. His impact now comes not from his bat, but from his ability to communicate the intangible elements that made him one of the greatest hitters of his generation.
For Tigers fans, Cabrera's continued presence around the organization provides a comforting link to the team's recent glory days. For Venezuelan baseball, his involvement with the national team brings star power and credibility. And for Cabrera himself, these new roles offer a way to stay connected to the sport without the physical toll that forced his retirement.
The laughter that followed his joke about returning as a player reveals a man at peace with his new reality. While he may occasionally miss the thrill of competition, he's found a different kind of fulfillment in helping the next generation of players discover their own paths to success.
As spring training continues and the World Baseball Classic approaches, Cabrera's influence will be felt in both Lakeland and wherever Team Venezuela takes the field. His journey from superstar player to respected coach is just beginning, but his passion for the game remains the driving force that has defined his entire baseball life.