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Tigers' Cabrera to retire at end of 2023 season

Chris Coduto / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Detroit Tigers legend Miguel Cabrera confirmed Monday that the 2023 season will be the final one of his illustrious career.

"I think it's going to be my last year," Cabrera said Monday. "It feels a little weird to say that. I thought I wasn’t going to say that ever. But I think it's time to say goodbye to baseball."

2023 will mark the 39-year-old's 21st MLB campaign. Cabrera spent the first five seasons of his career with the then-Florida Marlins before the Tigers acquired him ahead of the 2008 season.

The 12-time All-Star is scheduled to earn $32 million in 2023, the final season of an eight-year, $248-million contract.

In August, he refuted rumblings suggesting he'd call it quits at the end of the 2022 season, saying he intended to finish out his contract with Detroit.

Cabrera struggled to the worst statistical season of his career in 2022. The two-time MVP mustered just five home runs and 43 RBIs across 112 games.

He became the 33rd member of the 3,000-hit club on April 23 when he hit a single against the Colorado Rockies.

The veteran slugger is determined to make more of an impact on the field next season and help the Tigers achieve success after a dismal 66-96 record in 2022.

"I'm trying to get into great shape to play my last season with Detroit," Cabrera said. "I want to be healthy. I want to go out there and perform good. ... I'm trying to help our team to win more games."

The future Hall of Famer said he hopes to stay connected to baseball and the Tigers following his retirement.

"I've had a lot of conversations with my family, with (Tigers manager A.J. Hinch)," Cabrera said. "A.J.'s a great leader. I don't know - we'll see if I can stay in the organization of the Tigers, help young guys. I don't know yet. I've got time to decide.

"But my goal is to stay in baseball and try to help a lot of people. Because I love baseball."

Cabrera will enter his final season as MLB's active leader in hits (3,088), batting average (.308), home runs (507), and RBIs (1,847).

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