The Tigers' stance hasn't changed on Javier Baez. He remains part of their plans.
While the organization's "collective opinion of the shortstop position has improved because we added Trey Sweeney," Scott Harris said Monday as he wrapped up the Tigers' season, "there's a role for (Baez) on this team."
Sweeney replaced Baez down the stretch and helped the Tigers make the playoffs after Baez underwent hip surgery in September. It marked the end of yet another disappointing season for the former All-Star since signing a six-year, $140 million deal with Detroit in 2021. He has three years and $73 million remaining, and Harris said in August that "we are not looking to buy out Javy Baez."
Baez, who turns 32 in December, was one of the worst hitters in the majors this season, batting .184 with a .516 OPS in 80 games. But Harris said Monday that Baez's right-handed bat could help "balance out our infield that is increasingly left-handed right now" if he responds favorably to his surgery.
"He was struggling to rotate. He was feeling restricted," Harris said. "We think a lot of that had to do with his hips. Coming out of the procedure positively is a good sign for us. He has to get a lot better this offseason to demonstrate that he can make our infield better.
"But there's no reason to suggest that he won't have a role on this team if he comes out of the surgery feeling like he can rotate the way he used to when he was performing among the best players in the game. And he certainly fits the framework of our infield right now."
Sweeney and second baseman Colt Keith are both left-handed hitters, and Sweeney, who debuted for the Tigers in August after being acquired in the Jack Flaherty trade, is not yet viewed as an everyday solution at short. First baseman Spencer Torkelson hits right-handed, while third base was a carousel in Detroit for most of the season.
Baez, per Harris, will "be participating in spring training" next year and could be ready to go by the start of the season: "There's a reason why he got the surgery as early as he did, to try to give him the best chance possible to be ready for Opening Day."