Report: Cabrera to get large new deal

BRISTOL, Conn., March 23 (UPI) -- The Detroit Tigers reportedly are about to make third baseman Miguel Cabrera a very rich man.

The Tigers have reached a preliminary agreement on an eight-year contract extension worth $153.3 million, ESPNdeportes.com reported Sunday.

The report said he will earn $11.3 million this season under the terms of the one-year deal he reached with Detroit to avoid arbitration in the off-season.

In 157 games in 2007, Cabrera batted .320 and set career highs with 34 home runs and 119 RBI.

In five major league seasons -- all with the Marlins -- the four-time all-star batted .313 with 138 homers and knocked in 523 runs.

Cabrera, 24, and left-handed starting pitcher Dontrelle Willis were acquired from the Florida Marlins in a blockbuster trade in December.

The Marlins got pitcher Andrew Miller and outfielder Cameron Maybin, both young and promising stars of the future.

Talks on a long-term deal started after the two sides avoided arbitration.