The Detroit Tigers could be one of the best stories in the league in 2024, but one veteran is a major cause for concern: Shortstop Javier Baez is now hitting .050 this spring (1-for-20) with 10 strikeouts.
We often hear that spring training results don't matter, but after positing dreadful seasons in each of the last two years, Baez was supposed to be ready to rebound this year thanks to a new offseason workout regimen.
Because he's got a six-year, $140 million deal under his belt, he likely will continue to play for manager AJ Hinch's team, but these results are very unsettling - especially after the last two years.
He's hit just .230 in a Tigers' uniform, posting a meager .273 on-base percentage.
All in all, Baez is an accomplished 10-year veteran who has played for the Chicago Cubs, Tigers and New York Mets. He made his major league debut in 2014 and helped the Cubs win the World Series in 2016. Baez is a two-time All-Star, a Gold Glover and a former NLCS MVP. He's also won a Silver Slugger Award, but none of that has translated to Detroit.
Aside from being worried about Baez, there are plenty of reasons to be optimistic about the Tigers this year. The rotation has improved after signing Jack Flaherty and Kenta Maeda, and because of the health of Casey Mize, Tarik Skubal and Matt Manning.
Furthermore, young position players like Riley Greene and Spencer Torkelson appear ready to come into their own. If everything happens the way it's supposed to, it could be a very fun season in Detroit this year.
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