Miguel Cabrera scored the richest contract in U.S. sports history, reaching a $292 million deal over 10 years with the Tigers.
Detroit keeps the Triple Crown winner and two-time MVP, a devastating hitter who has helped the team win three straight AL Central crowns.
So, if he cashed out the biggest contract in American sports, what could Miggy afford?
Five things Cabrera’s contract can buy:
DRIVING FORCE: He can buy 6.95 billion - yes, billion with a ’B’ - gallons of gas in his homeland of Venezuela. It’s cheap there, selling for under five cents per gallon. Now, if he paid for a pipeline to Detroit, maybe Cabrera could provide for the whole state - Michigan motorists used 4.4 billion gallons in 2012, according to the most recent data from the U.S. Department of Energy.
NOW BATTING … AND BANKING: Cabrera will make $43,195 each time he steps to home plate, based on his totals for the Tigers. The average U.S. yearly wage was $42,498 in 2012, the Social Security Administration said. Cabrera will get about $11,600 for each pitch he sees, the stats show.
GOING CLUBBING: Suppose you wanted a whole team, rather than a single player. Say MVP Andrew McCutchen, former Cy Young winner David Price, All-Star Giancarlo Stanton and more. Take the entire rosters of the Pirates, Rays, Astros and Marlins, along with half of the Indians - you’d have plenty for their projected payrolls this year.
IF YOU BUILD IT: Maybe you want more than a collection of big leaguers. You want a place for them to play. So build them a stadium. Comerica Park cost $300 million to open in Motown in 2000. More recently, Busch Stadium in St. Louis took $365 million to construct for the first pitch in 2006.
FILL ’ER UP: The Tigers plan to play deep into October for years to come. That’s a lot of games at Comerica, and a lot of fans. Cabrera’s deal could buy 32 million bleacher seats at his home park.
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