Tigers insider reveals injuries may have prevented tough Opening Day roster decision

It's no secret that the vast majority of Detroit Tigers fans would prefer it if Javier Báez was not on the 2025 Opening Day roster. Unfortunately, an injury setback or a sudden contract buyout is the only way that would happen.

Neither of those options seems likely — particularly the latter, considering Báez has three years and $73 million remaining on his contract — so all signs currently point to him being the Tigers' starting shortstop on Opening Day, despite coming off one of the worst seasons of his career in 2024. Why? Because Báez is Detroit's highest-earning player (by a lot), and it would simply be bad business if the Tigers didn't do everything in their power to maximize the return on their investment.

What's best for business, however, isn't always what's best for the team; and Báez being on the Opening Day roster likely edges out up-and-coming shortstop prospect Trey Sweeney, who stepped in when Báez went down with a hip injury last year and became a major contributor to the Tigers' late-season success.

Put simply, Sweeney makes the team better; Báez does not. Money talks, however, and the player who is owed the most money is the player who is going to make the Opening Day roster. Unless ...

Tigers insider reveals injuries may have prevented uncomfortable Opening Day roster decision

Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic (subscription required) essentially reaffirmed that Báez would be Detroit's starting shortstop in 2025, thereby leaving Sweeney as the odd man out.

"The Tigers are paying Báez a lot of money, and they can easily option Sweeney to Toledo," Stevenhagen wrote. "For Sweeney to be on the roster, the real alternative would be designating Zach McKinstry for assignment and hoping he clears waivers, thanks to the fact that any team that claims him would be responsible for his $1.65 million salary. But with [Matt] Vierling out and McKinstry capable of helping in the outfield, that’s less likely than ever."

McKinstry's defensive versatility may very well earn him an Opening Day roster spot in light of the injury to Vierling, who was expected to see time both at third base and in the outfield. Jace Jung is Detroit's other primary option at third base, so his roster spot would be virtually guaranteed as well. However, there is also a scenario in which all three of McKinstry, Jung and Sweeney make the cut and break camp with the big league squad.

Stavenhagen pointed out that all three are left-handed hitters who can play in the infield. With injuries to Vierling and Parker Meadows potentially pushing McKinstry to the outfield, it now looks likelier than ever that Sweeney earns a spot on the roster as a platoon with Báez at shortstop.

So, there is a realistic scenario in which both Sweeney and Báez make the Opening Day roster after all. Awkward situation avoided ... for now. Once Vierling is healthy, though, Sweeney's option status might get him booted back to Triple-A Toledo — even if Báez still isn't hitting.

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