Javier Báez set to leave for rivals.
Could the Tigers trade or release Javier Baez? Inside the Clubhouse.
I ranked the six-year, $140 million contract that the Detroit Tigers signed Javier Baez as one of the worst free-agent signings of the summer.
For a Tigers club in need of star power, the decision exuded desperation and has now backfired. The 31-year-old Baez is hitting.226/.268/.354 with 27 home runs and 130 RBI in three seasons in Detroit. He has one home run, four RBI, and a.143/.170/.204 batting line in 15 games this season. However, Tigers fans have been jeering him at home lately.
Baez told reporters, “I’ve been booed pretty much my whole career.” “I understand that supporters find it annoying, but in my opinion, it doesn’t do anything to support the team or the organization. If we grind together, I believe we need to rise up together. When things go tough, we ought to stick together.
But would Baez’s severe difficulties force the Tigers to think about splitting up?
Could Javy Baez leave the Tigers?
Though this is all pure conjecture on my part, there has been precedent for teams to do this with failing superstars; the Angels designated Albert Pujols for assignment in the last year of his $240 million, 10-year contract, is one example of how this has happened.
However, the fact that he has three years left on his deal beyond 2024 presents a challenge for the Tigers. He makes $25 million in 2024 and 2025 and $24 million in 2026 and 2027 for those seasons.
Which makes it extremely difficult to move or release Baez, especially considering that two players who could be traded for a shortstop are Ha-Seong Kim of the San Diego Padres and Willy Adames of the Milwaukee Brewers. Maybe they could sign Baez with his enormous deal and offer him together with a great prospect to lure an acquiring team.
Baez being released outright seems like an unthinkable possibility. He is at least somewhat valuable because of his defense, and the Tigers would lose almost $95 million if they were to cut him loose. Any team that signs him would have to pay the league minimum salary.
The Tigers are not likely in a situation where they would think about cutting ties with Baez. However, if he keeps playing poorly and the jeers get louder, Scott Harris, president of baseball operations, and the Tigers front office may be compelled to take action.
