Miguel Cabrera was named 2012 American League Most Valuable Player. (Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

The Baseball Writers Association of America named Miguel Cabrera the 2012 American League Most Valuable Player.

Cabrera became the first player to win the Triple Crown since Carl Yastrzemski of the Boston Red Sox won it in 1967, leading the AL in all three major categories by hitting .330 with 44 home runs and 139 RBI. Cabrera also led the A.L. in OPS at .999 and total bases with 377.

Detroit Tigers designated hitter Victor Martinez may be able to return to the team before the end of the season, according to Tom Gage of the Detroit News.

New hope from #Tigers for Victor Martinez to return late this season – didn’t need ACL reconstruction – won’t know until July, though

— Tom Gage (@Tom_Gage) April 11, 2012

It had previously been believed that Martinez, 33, would be forced to miss the entirety of 2012 after he tore his left ACL during offseason conditioning in January. Recent reports indicate, however, that Martinez did not need a complete ACL restriction, which could allow him to return to the club late this season.

Martinez hit .330/.380/.470 with 12 home runs and 103 RBI last year in his first season with the Tigers. The four-time All-Star’s absence is believed to be part of the reason Detroit made the push to sign slugger Prince Fielder  this offseason, despite the presence of Miguel Cabrera.

With the acquisition of Fielder, the Tigers opted to move Cabrera across the diamond to third base in order to keep the designated hitter position vacant upon Martinez’s return.

Detroit Tigers manager Jim Leyland told MLB.com that Miguel Cabrera will not be substituted late in games for a defensive replacement.

“He’s the third baseman,” Leyland said. “That’s the way it is and I’m not ‘defensing’ for him. I’ve seen that too many times.”

The 28-year-old is considered by many to be one of the best sluggers in the game, however he was asked to move across the infield from first base after the Tigers signed Prince Fielder as a free-agent. Cabrera played third base for the Florida Marlins when he broke into the majors, but he has not played there since 2007. In total, he has played 387 games at third base, and committed 48 errors.

Last season Cabrera won the American League batting title, hitting.344/.447/.586. He also played 152 games at first base, committing 13 errors.

The Detroit Tigers’ Alex Avila joined ESPN’s Karl Ravech for an interview today, excited to talk about his expectations for this coming season. And off the air, he gave Ravech an interesting little tidbit: Teammate Miguel Cabrera has lost 25 pounds this offseason.

Alex Avilla joins bbtn at 330et says he's working out with Cabrera and that Cabrera has lost 25 pounds and is excited about moving to 3rd

—
karl ravech (@karlravechespn) February 10, 2012

The slugging 28-year-old has been one of the most productive hitters in baseball over the last eight seasons, but his weight has been a frequent concern. He’s usually listed at 240, but that number might be a bit of an undersell.

The news of a slimmed-down Cabrera is huge for the Tigers, who acquired superstar Prince Fielder in free agency this winter and will try to move Cabrera to third base. A little weight loss may help Cabrera field the new position.

Cabrera led the American League last year with a .344 average, a .448 on-base percentage and 48 doubles. He led the Tigers to 95 wins and the American League Championship Series, where they came up short against the Texas Rangers.

Miguel Cabrera was consulted by the Detroit Tigers before the team made the move today to sign fellow first-baseman Miguel Cabrera, according to Jason Beck of MLB.com.

Source says #Tigers approached Miguel Cabrera about Prince Fielder move. He was on board with it. So no Hanley comparisons, please.

—
Jason Beck (@beckjason) January 24, 2012

Cabrera, currently the Tigers first baseman, finished fifth in the American League Most Valuable Player voting this season after hitting .344/.448/.586 with 30 home runs and 105 RBI. His batting average and on base percentage were good enough to lead the American League in 2011. In 2010, he led the league in RBI with 126.

Despite his powerful presence the Tigers made the move to sign fellow slugger Prince Fielder to a nine-year, $214 million deal today. While one of the two powerhouse sluggers can play designated hitter in 2012, one of them will likely have to change positions in 2013 after Victor Martinez returns from a torn ACL.

Detroit Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera pleaded no contest to the DUI charge he was given during Spring Training, according to Jon Morosi of Fox Sports.

Miguel Cabrera pleads no contest to DUI, receives 1 yr probation, no jail time, 6-month license susp., $500 fine plus court costs. #Tigers

—
Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) January 05, 2012

Miguel Cabrera ordered to pay total of $1,436.23 in DUI plea. He earned $20M last year. Equivalent to $3.59 for someone who makes $50k.

—
Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) January 05, 2012

Cabrera was charged with driving under the influence as well as resisting arrest. The resisting arrest charge was dropped, according to Fox.

According to reports at the time, police approached Cabrera after spotting his vehicle on the side of the road, the All-Star first baseman was seen drinking Scotch out of a bottle, with bloodshot eyes, and slurred speech. Cabrera had previously spent three months in an alcohol abuse treatment center in 2009.

Statistically Cabrera had one of the best seasons of his career in 2011. The 28-year-old led the American League in batting (.344), on base percentage (.448), and double (48). He also notched 30 home runs and 105 RBI, marking the fifth consecutive year he has hit at least 30 home runs and recorded 100-or-more RBI.