Javier Báez chooses to extend his contract by four more years with the Detroit Tigers
For better or worse, the upcoming seasons will see the Detroit Tigers use him as their shortstop. According to reports, Javier Báez has exercised his player option to stay in the Motor City and has decided to sign with Detroit for the balance of his contract.
Báez signed a contract with the Detroit Tigers prior to the 2022 season, which calls for him to receive $98 million over the course of the following four seasons. He was signed by the Tigers in the latter part of Al Avila’s season, and he has been with the team for the past two seasons.
Unless he is traded in the future, he will stay in Detroit until the 2027 season. If he chooses to exercise his player option with Detroit, they will have a major league shortstop leading their infield for the upcoming few seasons.
The idea that someone would be needed to come in and lock down the infield was one of the major issues that arose every off-season in the early stages of the rebuild. It was Báez, the player. He’s a big-league veteran who has come in and tried to be “the guy” for the team, whether or not he was the free agent fans were hoping for.
Both positive and negative aspects of Báez’s performance can be found. But Báez is here to stay, no matter how you feel about his decision to opt in. He will spend the next four seasons as Detroit’s shortstop patroller.
Báez participated in 136 games for the Tigers in 2023, logging 510 at-bats. With 18 doubles, 4 triples, and 9 home runs, he slashed.222/.267/.325 in his career. With 125 strikeouts, he only walked 24 times and drove in 59 runs.
While there are undoubtedly some problems with his strikeout rate, the 4.4% walk rate may be more alarming at first glance. That number simply needs to rise, particularly if he wishes to implement the “control the zone” strategy that Scott Harris has spearheaded during his time in Detroit.
Auxiliary: Báez has occasionally provided a positive energy and swagger to the Tigers dugout. His presence during games can spread positivity. Although he plays the game with energy and hard work, which are positive traits, some of the performance metrics are lacking.
Even though Báez is getting older—he won’t be getting any younger—the Tigers will try to bring out the best in him over the next few years. Báez will soon turn 31.
