The six-year, $140 million contract awarded by the Detroit Tigers to Javier Baez hasn’t exactly proven to be a bargain so far.
Indeed, the infield player is coming out of a long and grueling season, the worst of his career. But, unlike other players on the club over the past two years, Baez never shied away and always took responsibility for his misfortunes. And 2023 is no exception.
Right now I feel like nothing is working for me. Absolutely nothing. It’s just the way I play, and I know I’m not the guy you see on the field.
Difficult to contradict him. The main person concerned, however, will have to find out what is wrong for the next campaign and he knows this very well.
I think it’s more mental than anything, to be honest. I know the numbers aren’t there. The trust is not there. I don’t know what’s really happening. It’s not about strikeouts. I will always chase balls out of the zone. But I don’t know if it’s timing or if I just don’t recognize the throw. I’m just trying to do too much. Nothing works.
Even though Baez had a clause in his contract that allowed him to get out of it immediately, everyone knew that he was going to stay at Michigan to earn the remaining $98 million for the next four seasons. That’s what happened.
If he doesn’t want this pact to end up in the list of the worst contracts in MLB history, like that of Miguel Cabrera, Baez must turn the tide as quickly as possible.
And the upcoming off-season will test his work habits more than ever.
Moreover, unlike in previous years, Baez is expected to split his time between his homes in Tampa and Puerto Rico during the winter and the Tigers intend to send at least one member of their staff to visit their colt during this period.
Let’s hope for his team and him that this change will bear fruit, because the next campaigns could be long, very long.
