Cabrera has two targets: 500 homers, 3,000 hits

These past few seasons have been difficult for Miguel Cabrera. Now, the Detroit first baseman has a chance to remind baseball fans just how much he’s accomplished in his career.

Specifically, Cabrera has an opportunity to reach two major milestones in 2021. He is 13 home runs shy of 500 and 134 hits short of 3,000.

“I hope so. We can do both,” he said Friday. “It’s one of my goals this year. Mentally, I feel good. I feel mentally strong. I’m trying to go day by day and trying to play hard.”

It’s been a while since Cabrera resembled the player who was the American League MVP in 2012 and 2013. The last time he was really impressive with the bat was in 2016, when he hit .316 with 38 home runs. From 201719, he played just 304 games as an assortment of injuries limited his availability.

In the meantime, the Tigers entered a major rebuild, trading away many of their top players. Cabrera is still on the team, which says a lot about his declining production and huge contract. He turns 38 in April.

But nobody should forget what a spectacular hitter he has been through much of his career. Only a halfdozen players have reached both 500 homers and 3,000 hits: Hank Aaron, Alex Rodriguez, Albert Pujols, Willie Mays, Rafael Palmeiro and Eddie Murray.

Cabrera certainly has a chance to reach both this year. He did manage to play in 57 of his team’s 58 games in the shortened 2020 season, and he hit 10 homers. In 2019, he had 139 hits in 136 games.

“I want to be healthy, and I want to do my best, and I want to do whatever I can to help the team to win games,” Cabrera said.

Braves extend Snitker: The Atlanta Braves announced they have extended manager Brian Snitker’s contract through the 2023 season, with a club option for 2024.

Snitker has led the Braves to three straight NL East titles and within one win of a spot in the World Series last season.

Snitker, 65, took over the Braves on an interim basis in 2016.

Machado’s laser focus: Padres third baseman Manny Machado said he had offseason laser eye surgery to deal with the lights.

“I hope it helps me hit better. I was dealing with some stuff last year with the lights, just night games. I still have the same vision,” he said. “We’ll just see when the lights turn on in San Diego, make that little adjustment there, if it helps me out or not. Vision’s fine, same thing, nothing major, nothing different, but hopefully it helps me see the ball a little better and I can hit .320, .330.”

Before the surgery, Machado hit .304 with 16 home runs in the pandemicshortened 2020 season and was third in NL MVP balloting.

Chavez back with Angels: Righthander Jesse Chavez, a former A’s pitcher, is back with the Los Angeles Angels on a minorleague deal, and will join them in spring training after clearing intake protocols.

Chavez appeared in 38 games for the Angels in 2017, including 21 starts. He has played for the Rangers and Cubs since then.