Paul White

USA TODAY Sports

BALTIMORE -- You've heard it over and over, especially come playoff time: "It's not about the money."

Detroit Tigers slugger and two-time MVP Miguel Cabrera might actually be backing up those words.

Cabrera was sitting at his locker before the Tigers' workout Wednesday in Baltimore when Max Scherzer came by with a clipboard containing the sheets players must sign to receive their shares of the post-season playoff pool. That's money, real cash money.

"I'm not signing anything," Cabrera told Scherzer. Teammate Victor Martinez, who had just signed, looked quizzically. Scherzer tried to explain.

Cabrera was adamant with his refusal, at least for now. He could go back later and sign across the dotted line.

OK, when you're Miguel Cabrera and you've already made more than $138 million playing baseball and have at least $262 million remaining on your contract, maybe this is small change.

A full share for winning the World Series for Boston Red Sox players last year was worth $307,000.

Martinez and Cabrera continued the discussion in Spanish, with Cabrera finally saying, "I just want the ring."

Meanwhile, Scherzer shrugged and walked away.

"OK, more for us," he said.

And not just the players. The players on the 25-man roster for the season vote on how to divide playoff shares, and smaller portions are typically given to support staff such as clubhouse personnel, traveling secretaries and the like - employees who could certainly benefit from Cabrera's apparent generosity.