Miguel Cabrera: 'I was joking' with ex-Marlins president about leaving Tigers for Miami
SEATTLE — Miguel Cabrera is apparently upset with some things that have been reported recently. He wasn’t in the mood to discuss it at length on Friday afternoon at Safeco Field, though.
The Detroit Free Press wanted Cabrera’s reaction to comments made by former Miami Marlins president and current CBS Sports HQ analyst David Samson on Thursday.
"What I feel badly about is that he's stuck in Detroit,” Samson said of Cabrera. “He always wanted to come back to Miami. Every time I'd see him, over the years, at All-Star Games, (he would say) 'hey, I'm ready to come home.' And we just didn't have the payroll capacity."
Cabrera responded to those comments Friday, through a team spokesman saying: “I was joking with him and he knows that. I am focused on getting back out on the field and helping my team here win. That is my focus.”
The team spokesman said Cabrera did not want to discuss the Samson comments further.
Tigers manager Ron Gardenhire, told the Free Press on Friday the Marlins traded Cabrera, so he didn't understand why Samson made the comments about a possible reunion.
"It has no depth whatsover," Gardenhire said. "That's something that's making a statement just to make a statement because he knows Cabrera and he just wants to associate his name with his."
Gardenhire went on to say that Cabrera is "a staple" in Detroit and that "people love him."
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The suggestion Cabrera is disgruntled about being in Detroit has apparently upset the veteran, though.
Cabrera, who has been on the disabled list since May 4, told a group of Detroit reporters on Tuesday at Comerica Park he wouldn't play again until his right hamstring strain heals.
"Nobody appreciates when you play hurt, so I'm going to take my time and play when I'm good,” Cabrera said, half-joking. “I play a lot of years hurt here in Detroit. They don't appreciate that. When you are doing bad, they crush you. They crush you. They say you are bad. You should go home. You don't deserve anything. That you are old. I say ‘OK. I'm done playing hurt.’ When you are going good they say, 'Oh, oh, you're good.' Now I take my time."
Cabrera refused the to discuss the matter further on Friday, telling the reporter to get away from him.
While Cabrera remains on the disabled list, outfielder Leonys Martin was activated from the DL on Friday. To make room for Martin, who has recovered from a left hamstring strain, the Tigers sent left-handed pitcher Ryan Carpenter back to Triple-A Toledo.