Miguel Cabrera Turns Down Six-Figure Playoff Bonus, Says He Only Wants A Ring

Miguel Cabrera is putting his mouth where his money isn’t.

The Detroit Tigers first baseman decided not to fill out the paperwork necessary to make him eligible for a playoff bonus. Though he could have made hundreds of thousands of dollars depending on how far his team advanced, Cabrera decided that he would rather just focus on winning.

From USA Today:

“Cabrera was sitting at his locker before the Tigers’ workout Wednesday in Baltimore when Max Scherzer came by with a clipboard containing the sheets players must sign to receive their shares of the post-season playoff pool. That’s money, real cash money.”

“‘I’m not signing anything,’ Cabrera told Scherzer. Teammate Victor Martinez, who had just signed, looked quizzically.”

It likely isn’t a difficult decision for Miguel Cabrera. After signing a 10-year deal worth $292 million last offseason, a few hundred thousand is probably close to pocket change for the two-time MVP.

But he still could be losing a lot of money. Last year members of the Boston Red Sox got $307,000 for winning the World Series. It’s not just players who cash in, either — everyone from support staff down to clubhouse attendants get a portion of the bonus.

Cabrera has certainly been doing a great job of focusing on his game lately. Despite being bothered by a sore right ankle, he managed to hit.379 in September with a 1.118 OPS, eight home runs and 18 RBIs.

For his efforts, Miggy won American League Player of the Month, his second straight month earning the honor and fourth time overall he’s won it. The torrid month also helped the Detroit Tigers secure the AL Central and enter the MLB playoffs as one of the hottest teams.

But if he happens to decide that he wants to win a World Series ring and a few hundred thousand dollars, Miguel Cabrera can always change his mind. There’s no deadline to apply for the playoff bonus.