The Detroit News

Buster Olney, in his annual position rankings for ESPN.com, says Detroit Tigers slugger Miguel Cabrera is the fifth-best first baseman in the majors.

Cabrera trails, in order, Freddie Freeman of the Braves, Joey Votto of the Reds, Anthony Rizzo of the Cubs and Paul Goldschmidt of the Diamondbacks.

Olney on Cabrera: “He is building one of the greatest hitting resumes in major league history. Yes, his defense isn't good -- although, because of his acumen and his hands, he's probably a little better than he gets credit for in metrics -- and he is a base-clogger who increasingly hits into double plays. But he was destined for the Hall of Fame years ago, and there’s no end in sight to his time as an elite offensive player.”

Last season, at age 33, Cabrera had 38 homers and 108 RBI. He hit .316 with a .393 on-base percentage – both just a tick under his career averages – and had a .563 slugging percentage, virtually equivalent to his career number.

Here is Olney's top 10, with analysis on each player.

Too low? Olney ranks Justin Verlander seventh-best starter