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The One Offseason Conversation That Saved Javier Baez’s Career

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Kristie Ackert | Last updated Jun 27, 2025 2:38 PM ET

The conversation was simple. The impact may have saved a career.

During an appearance on the New York Post Sports podcast, Tigers manager A.J. Hinch shared details of an offseason meeting with Javier Baez—one that subtly rewrote the veteran infielder’s 2025 storyline.

“He and I met, and he asked, ‘What can I do to help this team be better?’” Hinch said. “We just came to that agreement, like, you can move around—second base, third base, shortstop, a little bit of center.”

The last suggestion, play center field, actually sparked something in Baez.

“When I said center field, his eyes lit up,” Hinch added. “He was like, ‘I’ve been trying to tell people I can play center field.’”

This wasn’t some position switch for the sake of novelty. Baez, entering Year 4 of a six-year deal that had felt like a weight more than a win, needed a jolt. Injuries and inconsistency had taken their toll. In 2024, his bat lagged, his confidence looked shaky, and his role with the Tigers seemed to shrink by the month.

Something’s shifted.

Through 69 games in 2025, Baez has already logged 2.3 WAR—his best total since 2021 and higher than the previous three seasons combined. He’s not suddenly back to his MVP-contending form in Chicago, but he’s back to being a factor. A contributor. A reason Detroit is still in the fight.

Maybe it was the position change. Maybe it was the freedom to move around the field. Maybe it was just someone finally listening.

Whatever the reason, Baez looks like himself again. And if center field is where that spark came from, it’s earned a permanent place in his late-career renaissance—even if he never takes another inning out there.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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