Detroit Tigers' Shortstop Planning to Make Major Change This Offseason

Detroit Tigers' shortstop Javier Baez is planning to make a major change to his offseason training this year.

After a brutal season, Baez is planning to remain in the United States for much of the offseason, rather than spending the majority of his time in Puerto Rico.

Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press had the information and MLBTradeRumors has the summary (subscriber link to Petzold's work included):

Petzold indicates that Baez plans to focus on strengthening his back and core muscles to recapture the athleticism that allowed him to connect for 86 home runs from 2017-2019, the fourth highest figure among qualified shortstops during that time span. If Baez, 31 next month, can successfully combat father time and recapture the power that carried his offensive profile in his youth, that would provide a massive boost to a Tigers team that finished bottom four in the majors with a team-wide wRC+ of just 89 in 2023.

Getting Baez going again is definitely an offseason priority for Detroit, who finished second in the American League Central and is looking to make another jump in 2024.

He hit just .222 this past year with a .267 on-base percentage. Playing in 136 games, he hit nine homers and drove in 59. 

A two-time All-Star, Baez is a lifetime .256 hitter with 175 homers and 591 RBI. He's played for the Cubs, Mets and Tigers and won the World Series with the Cubs in 2016.

He's under contract through the 2027 season and is making $25 million next season.