There's no conversation about the Tigers that doesn't include Javy Baez. So it goes when a player makes top-shelf money for bottom-shelf production. Scott Harris knows it, new GM Jeff Greenberg knows it, A.J. Hinch knows it. Baez knows it himself. He was awfully honest when he told reporters this week, "Right now I feel like nothing is working for me. Absolutely nothing."
"Not on defense, not on offense, not base running," said the two-time All-Star and former Silver Slugger. "It’s just the way I’m playing. I know I’m not this guy you guys are seeing out there.”
The fear, of course, is that he is. That two years into his six-year, $140 million contract with the Tigers, Baez is a sunk cost and a lost cause. One of the 25 best players in the majors by fWAR over the six seasons before he signed in Detroit, Baez has since been one of the 25 worst. He has been the single worst hitter this season by wRC+.
Hinch has stood behind Baez, but he's had no choice but to drop him in the order. Signed to add thump to the middle of the Tigers' lineup, Baez has spent most of the second half batting seventh or eighth. He has two homers in the last two months. He's not sure what's worse, he said: "Not having the results or to keep trying something that’s not there."
"I think Javy is at his lowest that he’s been, certainly as a Tiger, but just generally in his career," Hinch said Thursday on 97.1 The Ticket. "This is a guy who has dominated the sport, who's gotten a ton of accolades, who's played on the biggest stage. He’s been one of the most electrifying players. And now he finds himself in an important offseason to reestablish himself and his impact."
Baez, who turns 31 in December, acknowledged that himself. He said he's focused on putting together "a good plan for the offseason," including "more action on the field" and more "live pitching" in an effort to get his confidence back. It's a brutal game without it.
The Tigers aren't getting rid of Baez, who isn't opting out of his contract this winter. Together, they have to find solutions. He still plays strong defense at shortstop, even if his 19 errors this season -- third most in the majors -- say otherwise. It just doesn't mean much amid so many empty trips to the plate. As the Tigers get younger and more talented around him, Baez must adapt or risk losing a marquee role.
"Do I have confidence that he’s going to put the work in and do it? Of course," said Hinch. "This guy is very prideful and he's very aware of where he sits. He’s looking around at some pretty good young talent that’s pushing him out of the middle of the order and if he wants to factor into that more and be a big bat in the middle, obviously some adjustments need to be made."
For Baez, the only saving grace might be that the Tigers don't have an impact shortstop anywhere close to Detroit. The highest-ranked shortstop in their system, per MLB Pipeline, is Kevin McGonigle, a 19-year-old in Low-A. After that, it's Peyton Graham, a 22-year-old also in Low-A. Eddys Leonard, who's hit well in Triple-A Toledo since being acquired from the Dodgers at this year's trade deadline, is the only internal player who might push Baez next season. Zack Short is Zack Short.
"I’ve got to play good for my teammates," Baez said. "Obviously, they’re going to follow me. I need to do better next year and prepare better.”
Again, Hinch has faith that he will. He frequently praises Baez's work behind the scenes and said that he's in "a better place than people probably see from an awareness standpoint in knowing what he needs to do." Of course, it's harder to believe that when Baez says this: "The confidence at the plate is just not there. I don’t know what’s really happening."
Most alarmingly, Baez isn't hitting fastballs. That's where he's always done the bulk of his damage, even last year when his bat went mute. He's hitting .198 against fastball this season, slugging .274. The chase will always be there with Baez, only now it doesn't come with any pop. He's become a flawed hitter without a single redeeming quality.
“I don’t know if it’s timing or I’m not recognizing pitches or trying to do too much," Baez said. "But I go out there every day and I try again and I try something different. It’s just not working.”
The Tigers are on the hook for $98 million over four more years. Baez isn't going anywhere. And barring a surprise acquisition this winter, it's hard to see how he gets moved off shortstop anytime soon. The Tigers will swallow hard and pay him, and try to offset their losses by maximizing the positions around him. And hope, deep down, that Baez is right -- that he's not the player everyone sees.
"We got a lot of guys rooting for him, a lot of guys pushing him and we need him to be better as we transition some of these younger infielders into the big leagues," said Hinch. "He’s going to be a big presence. What comes with that is a responsibility this winter to get himself in a better place."