Detroit Tigers: Questions about the future at shortstop

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.