FanSided

Detroit Tigers: Questions about the future at shortstop

By Tyler Kotila |
Detroit Tigers shortstop Javier Baez (28) gets the forceout on Seattle Mariners' center fielder Julio Rodriguez.
Detroit Tigers shortstop Javier Baez (28) gets the forceout on Seattle Mariners' center fielder Julio Rodriguez. / Kirthmon F. Dozier / USA TODAY NETWORK
1 of 3
Next

The Detroit Tigers have to be questioning their future at shortstop.

The Detroit Tigers are currently sitting in second place in the American League (AL) Central Division, clinging to life. The start of the 2023 season was not great, and the team was still trying to settle in and get their feet under them.

The Detroit Tigers signed Javier Báez to a six-year, $160 million contract before the 2022 season, and he was thought to be the team's shortstop of the future moving forward. This was during the Al Avila regime's reign of terror over the Tigers as it was concluding.

But with Scott Harris in charge now, the direction and plans of the Detroit Tigers are under his discretion and being put into motion as this season drags on. One of the things that has to be discussed is who will be the Tigers starting shortstop moving forward.

While Báez is under contract, and it seems like a silly question, there could be a chance for some changes to be made. The Tigers could very well be moving on from Baez. After all, Baez has a player opt-out after this season, so he could leave and head for the free-agent market.

Finding a shortstop is hard to come by, but moving on from Báez would not be the worst thing in the world. I am the first to admit I do not love Báez and have been "out" on the signing since Day 1. Albeit, he has performed exceptionally well since his incident resulting in being benched by A.J. Hinch.

However, if the Tigers were to move on from Báez, that would leave them without a shortstop which was a gaping hole for years, but hear me out...

Lets' talk through some options the Tigers have to stew about.

1. Javier Báez does not opt-out, Detroit Tigers keep him.

If Báez does not feel that he can make $23.3 million on the market this off-season on the free agent market, then he's not going to opt-out. I cannot imagine he despises Detroit to that level to walk away from four years of $23.3 million from the Tigers. But that's a conversation to be had with him and his agent. The Tigers are essentially just adjusting based on his response.

While Báez staying is the intended plan, he is still able to opt-out. If he does opt-in, the Tigers are going to be relying on him for the next few seasons to hold down the left side of the infield and hopefully see an uptick in his offense.

2. Detroit Tigers shop Javier Báez on the trade market in 2023.

Listen, this one seems less realistic than the first one, but it's something to consider. The Detroit Tigers can try and shop Báez to a team that really wants the boost. There are some caveats to this. This would be reliant on the Tigers knowing that Báez is going to opt-out. If not, they are going to have to find a suitor willing to take on the last four years of that contract.

It's an unlikely option, but it's not 100% off the table. After all, the Tigers are in a similar situation with Eduardo Rodríguez in 2023 and are trying to shop him after he has started the season on an absolute tear, settling in on the mound and being insanely good.

The Tigers could consider trying to move Báez if the right opportunity comes up. The trade package may not be super exciting, but I'm sure it would reap some prospects that could help them establish some depth and try to have a stable of prospects to draw on in future trades. After all, the Dodgers were reportedly in on Báez at one point this year.

3. Javier Báez opts out, Detroit Tigers trade for a stud shortstop.

If there's one thing the Detroit Tigers need to do if they do get rid of Javier Báez, its find a shortstop that really fits the mold of what the team is looking for. A.J. Hinch had Carlos Correa and Jose Altuve as his battery up the middle in Houston and the team has to be looking for someone to be their shortstop of the future.

I personally do not think Báez is the guy for them. So they need to find someone else on the trade market. Teams are going to shop players and it might require a big trade, but locking down someone for the left side is a crucial piece of the puzzle.

4. Javier Báez opts out, Detroit Tigers draft/sign SS of the future.

The Detroit Tigers may be looking to go out and find a shortstop of the future in the draft. The issue is at no.3 in 2023; there is not going to be that top-tier, top-level player that surpasses the other talents available. Plus, a draftee would take time to get to the big leagues, and right now, the Tigers are not trying beat around the bush for years.

The end of the rebuild needs to come sooner than later and that might require the team to find a free agent shortstop that piques their interest. They may have just played this game when they signed Báez, but they should be looking for another player who may be a better fit.

The odds of the Tigers having Báez on their roster in 2024 is extremely likely, but there are some scenarios where the Tigers are able to find a different player to captain the left side.

Detroit Tigers: 2023 MLB draft information primer. dark. Next

Next
Home / Detroit Tigers News

Schedule