(WXYZ) -- Miguel Cabrera has made it well-known he hopes to play first base as much as possible for the Detroit Tigers this season.
"I can't wait to be at first (base) again," Cabrera said following Friday's spring training workout in Lakeland. "I waited for this opportunity last year. Hope I can play as many games as I can at first (base.)"
Tigers manager AJ Hinch previously said he also aims to mostly play Cabrera at first base in 2021, opening up designated hitter opportunities for other players.
Cabrera said Friday Hinch and his staff have brought a new feeling to the team's spring workouts.
"They bring a lot of energy to the field," Cabrera said. "They (have) great communication with us. I think that's going to be special because we don't know the staff...they don't know us, but at the same time they do a really good job (with) communication, meetings. Hoping we can get on the same page and hoping we can go out and win games."
Cabrera enters the 2021 season approaching two major career milestones: 500 home runs and 3,000 hits. Through 2020, Cabrera has 487 career home runs and 2,866 hits. He had 51 hits and 10 home runs during the shortened 2020 MLB season.
"It'd be great," Cabrera said when asked about reaching one or both milestones in 2021. "I feel really good to be in this position to get 500 (home runs) and try to get 3,000 hits, but at the same time, we've got to focus on playing nine innings, and I think if we can win games and play good baseball, the number's going to be there and we can watch at the end of the season."
