Detroit Tigers: Questions about the future at shortstop

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.