Don’t call it a comeback. For Miguel Cabrera, a return to winter ball is more like a bucket-list item.
Before and after his retirement from the Major Leagues, the former Tigers and Marlins great talked about wanting to give winter ball one more go in his native Venezuela, having seen Nelson Cruz do a farewell tour in the Dominican League two winters ago. For Cabrera, the first step is now in line: the Tigres de Aragua, Miggy’s longtime winter ball team in his hometown of Maracay, announced Friday that the 42-year-old has been added to the roster for the 2025-26 season.
The Venezuelan League season begins in October, giving Cabrera five months to physically prepare for game action. He was in notably good shape when he spent a week in Tigers camp for Spring Training in March as part of his duties as a special assistant. How much he’ll play in winter ball remains to be seen, but Cabrera is serious about playing.
Add in the announcement three weeks ago that Cabrera will be the hitting coach for Team Venezuela in next year’s World Baseball Classic, and the future Hall of Famer is finding ways to stay involved in the game after retiring two years ago with 3,174 career hits and 511 home runs. He has remained part of the Tigers organization as a special assistant under team president Scott Harris, but has spent much of his time following his kids’ careers, from his daughter’s volleyball tournaments to son Christopher’s travel baseball team.
Friday’s announcement returns Cabrera to the team where he recorded his first professional hit in December 1999, having signed with the Tigres at age 16. He was a regular participant in winter ball and the Caribbean Series until the winter of 2007-08. When the Detroit Tigers acquired him and signed him to a long-term extension just before his 25th birthday, one of the stipulations was that he no longer play winter ball in order to prepare for the Major League season.
Cabrera returned to the Venezuelan League in 2023 to take part in the home run derby. He lost out to Yasiel Puig in the first round, but was celebrated for his return. He told reporters that night that he hoped to play one more season for the Tigres if his body would allow.
After a year to get healthy, that’s closer to a reality.