Despite all of the negative attention that Miguel Cabrera has gotten over the past couple days, Tigers manager Jim Leyland is remaining optimistic.
John Lowe of the Detroit Free Press writes that Jim Leyland would not comment on Cabrera’s arrest Wednesday night for a DUI but did say that he (Cabrera) is in the best shape of his life and will probably have the biggest year of his career.
“I know for a fact, without getting into this situation, I know for a fact Miguel Cabrera
is in the best shape of his life. He’s stronger than he’s ever been and he’s quicker than he’s ever been. . . . I think Miguel Cabrera is probably going to have the biggest year of his life.”
Leyland also believes that when Cabrera does report to Spring Training he will be welcomed back with open arms by the coaches and his teammates.
“He’s going to be welcomed here with open arms by his teammates, and they’re going to want to see him hit that (ball) over the right-center-field fence with two men on, and he’s going to do that.”
Furthermore according to Lowe, Leyland echoed the comments of Tigers President and GM Dave Dombrowski in that Cabrera’s arrest won’t disrupt the rest of the team.
“It’s not going to affect the team at all,” Leyland said. “All these people that are getting dramatic about this . . . and all this negative impact _ it’s not going to affect this team one bit. Trust me. That’s all reading material _ everybody getting all upset and getting real dramatic.
“Do you think Magglio Ordoñez and those guys are going to go about their business any different? Nobody is going to do anything different. We’re going to bust our (butt).
“Our clubhouse will be great and our team has a hell of a chance to be an outstanding team, and that (Cabrera’s turmoil) is going to have no bearing on it one way or another. Trust me when I tell you that.”
Leyland then gave a subtitle to this subject: “Clubhouse and the chemistry and all that (bleep) that’s been going on for years that doesn’t have a thing to do with anything.”
Source: Detroit Free Press
