CHICAGO (670 The Score) – Tigers shortstop Javier Baez returned to play at Wrigley Field on Tuesday for the first time since the Cubs traded him to the Mets in July 2021.
As he was back in the Friendly Confines, the 31-year-old Baez reflected fondly on playing for the Cubs from 2014-’21, a tenure that was memorably highlighted by the franchise snapping a 108-year championship drought by winning the World Series in 2016. Baez acknowledged he still thinks about the 2016 season often.
"The great thing is no one can take away the great things from you,” Baez said. "I will always be a world champion here. I still catch up with my former teammates from around the league. It's always great to see and talk with them. Hopefully, some of them continue to have great careers and be more than welcome like I was when they come back.”
The Cubs honored Baez with a pregame video tribute that showcased a series of highlight plays, and he was given a loud standing ovation ahead of his first at-bat in the top of the second inning, which ended in him striking out.
Baez’s career has taken a steep downturn since he signed a six-year, $140-million deal with the Tigers before the 2022 season, when he hit .238 with 17 homers and a .671 OPS. Baez then hit .222 with nine homers and a .593 OPS in 136 games in 2023, and he entered Tuesday hitting .185 with six homers and a .522 OPS in 78 games this season.
Baez has suffered from injuries that have contributed to his struggles in Detroit, but he also has seemed to lose the power and flair that he once displayed on a daily basis in his Chicago tenure. He’s no longer an everyday player for the Tigers.
“I always want to be out there playing,” Baez said pregame. “I want to stay healthy. This year has not gone the way I wanted it to. My goal is to continue to work hard and go out and do the best I can.”
Baez was an All-Star for the Cubs in 2018, when he was the National League MVP runner-up, as well as 2019. Between the three full seasons from 2018-’21, Baez averaged 31 homers a year.
While he will always fondly remember his Cubs tenure, Baez also noted he doesn’t live in the past.
“Not really,” he said in response to a question about how his career would be different if he remained with the Cubs. "Everything happens for a reason. They have a whole different team now, and they are rebuilding like we are now. The good vibes of coming back here though will always be the same for me.”
For his part, Baez still thinks he can play at a high level.
"I am not doing much right now, but I am not turning it into next year yet,” Baez said. “I know what I can do. The key is to stay healthy and play the whole year. I don't want to make excuses about my body and stuff. I know I can hit and I know I can run and play defense. Hopefully, it will get better by the end of the year. Hopefully, next year is a really good one for me.”
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.