COMMENTARY: From the baseball diamond to love triangle - part II

By Marie E. Matyjaszek

I first wrote about Detroit Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera’s family law tangle in May 2018, and it appears that the matter is nearing conclusion – maybe.

Miggy fathered two children with his ex-mistress Belkis Rodriguez, and was previously ordered by a Florida court to pay $12,247 per month in child support, along with a lot of “extras,” like top-of-the-line theme park passes, assorted gifts, and Rodriguez’s attorney fees. Mind you, the former American League MVP and Triple Crown winner has three children with his wife as well. The 2017 paternity suit filed by Rodriguez made it very apparent what off-the-field activities Cabrera was engaging in when not suited up in a Tiger uniform.

Despite repeated mediation hearings, all attempts to settle the case backfired. Rodriguez wanted her kids treated the same as Miggy’s children with his wife in terms of financial blessings, especially considering his $30 million a year baseball salary.

She was seeking $100,000 per month in child support. Cabrera repeatedly accused his former mistress of attempting to extort him, which is why he chose to start paying her voluntarily prior to the lawsuit being filed. However, when Cabrera started to cut back on the payments in an attempt to save his marriage, he alleges that she continued to threaten him, and the paternity suit was filed.

Following a trial in January, a Florida judge ordered Cabrera to pay $20,000 per month in child support. In addition, he was ordered to pay for health and life insurance, extra-curriculars, school tuition, vacations (consistent with what his other three children enjoy), and Rodriguez’s attorney fees. For good measure, Cabrera was ordered to pay off Rodriguez’s house by July of this year to the tune of almost $1 million. Oh, and the theme park perks continue as well.

Less than a month later, the judge had second thoughts, deciding to exercise his discretion and to re-examine the $20,000 per month child support ruling after reviewing final documents that were submitted. Florida law suggests that child support for two kiddos should be 7.5 percent of an individual’s net income, which would be more per month than Rodriguez’s request for $100,000. Not surprisingly, Cabrera’s attorneys believe his extreme wealth doesn’t mesh with the statute’s intent.

Whether the judge issues a new ruling remains to be seen, but it seems clear that neither party will be entirely happy with final settlement terms. What is certain, however, is that Cabrera remains in the catbird seat – pocketing $30 million a year until 2023, regardless of his on-field performance.

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Marie E. Matyjaszek is an attorney referee at the Washtenaw County Friend of the Court; however, the views expressed in this column are her own.