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Atlanta Braves: How have recent MVPs produced after age 34

By Seth Carter

WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 23: Josh Donaldson #20 of the Atlanta Braves singles against the Washington Nationals during the second inning at Nationals Park on June 23, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 23: Josh Donaldson #20 of the Atlanta Braves singles against the Washington Nationals during the second inning at Nationals Park on June 23, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
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Miguel Cabrera (Photo by Jason O. Watson/Getty Images) /

Miguel Cabrera

Miggy won the AL MVPs in both 2012 and 2013. Cabrera is in the midst of a massive contract. 2018 marked the first of six seasons in which he will earn $30+ million. 2019 was his age-36 season.

Judging by the fall-off in his production, it appears the Tigers are seriously regretting the decision to make him one of the highest-paid players through his age-40 season. Let’s take a look at his two seasons at 35+ years old.

2018 – Age 35. We won’t spend too much time in 2018 since he only appeared in 38 games. He did hit a solid .299/.395/.448 but only had three homers in his 157 plate appearances. Injuries are a part of the territory, while it may be a part of the risk as players get older and their bodies give out, the bug bites younger players as well.

2019 – Age 36. Cabrera bounced back with 136 games played and slashed .282/.346/.398. Of his 493 at-bats, he only hit 12 homers. In a season in which 129 players hit at least 20 home runs, Detroit’s $30 million man ended with twelve.

Cabrera was dealing with a chronic knee injury last season, in which he decided to play through the pain. However, this is not to make excuses for lack of production, just to take a look at the risk of signing old guys to big contracts.

Over the past two seasons, the Tigers have paid Cabrera $60 million and their return? A 0.6 rWAR.

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