The Tigers are considering new ways to deploy Javy Baez. With Opening Day two weeks away, the former Gold Glove-winning shortstop will play third base Thursday against the Yankees, A.J. Hinch said on 97.1 The Ticket.
"Which is going to be new for everybody, but not new to Javy," Hinch said. "Javy did that a few years back when he was one of the best players, moving around the field playing at an All-Star caliber level. We’re going to introduce a few positions to him. It’s going to start today, he’s playing at third, (Trey) Sweeney at short, and there is room on the roster for both. I’m going to play the best guy. That’s been something I’ve been very consistent about at the shortstop position."
While Baez has played exclusively shortstop in his three seasons in Detroit, he also manned second and third through the first five years of his career. In fact, he started almost 100 more games between those two positions than he did at short from 2014-18 with the Cubs. He also bounced back to second when he was traded to the Mets midway through the 2021 season.
For his career, Baez has played 829 games at shortstop, 320 at second and 104 at third. He hasn't played a game at third since 2019.
The Tigers turned to Sweeney at short down the stretch last season after Baez underwent hip surgery in August. The 24-year-old didn't hit much, but played well in the field as the Tigers stormed into the playoffs. As for who gets the bulk of the starts at short this season, "it’s to be determined -- I know it’s coach speak -- but it’s going to be by quality of play," said Hinch. "And everybody knows it."
Gleyber Torres is the Tigers' everyday second baseman. But there are open reps at third with the news that Matt Vierling will be sidelined for the start of the season with a shoulder injury. Jace Jung is vying to be the starter, at least against right-handed pitching. Baez could balance him out from the other side of the plate against lefties.
"The thing that I caution against for everybody is that in baseball there’s this, ‘Who’s the everyday this? Who’s the everyday that?'" said Hinch. "I think this team, what we’ve shown the last year-plus is that we’re willing to put any combination out there to help us win that day’s game, and that mentality is not going to change."
Baez, 32, has been one of the worst hitters in the majors since signing a $140 million contract in Detroit. The deal has three years and $73 million remaining, and Scott Harris has said repeatedly that the Tigers have not explored buying Baez out. They are hoping that the surgery will cure what's ailed him at the plate and help him recover the power he's shown in the past.
Baez is 4-for-16 with three extra-base hits this spring, including a long homer last week. Hinch said that Baez is "feeling better and better every day" as the Tigers "get him away from rehab and into just playing with freedom. He’s slid, he’s dove after a ball and he’s fully rotated at the plate. He’s been cleared and has no limitations at all."
"I think it’s been a good camp for Javy," said Hinch. "It’s been nice to see him look happy and healthy and doing the things that we need, and now we need better performance out of him and others to make these decisions moving forward."