Javier Baez’s time as a Detroit Tigers has not gone well thus far. The two-time All-Star posted the worst season of his career in 2022, and has yet to get back on track in 2023. Does this rough start mean you should bail on the talented, yet struggling shortstop? It might be time.
Related: 2023 MLB Fantasy: What to Make of Phillies OF Brandon Marsh’s Hot Start
A Look at Baez
It doesn’t need to be said, but it’s worth repeating that Tigers shortstop Javier Baez did not do well in 2022. A career. 265/.307/.477 hitter from 2014-21, Baez proved to be one of the most consistent shortstops in fantasy over the course of his first full six seasons. The 30-year-old, aside from the COVID-shortened 2020 season, hit .265 or better every year from 2016-21. In that time, Baez posted four 20+ home run campaigns and five years in which he hit double digits in steals.
However, it’s come crashing down as a member of the Tigers. Baez hit a career-low .238 batting average, posted the lowest Hard Hit% (28.1%) of his time as a Major Leaguer, and saw jumps in how much he topped and popped up baseballs.
A good start to 2023 could have went a long way towards putting the 2022 season behind the 30-year-old, but that hasn’t occurred. Baez owned the worst OPS (.263) in baseball among qualified hitters entering the day on April 13. That figure was 27 points lower than the second-lowest OPS in the league, owned by Twins infielder/outfielder Nick Gordon. And, he only hit .100 with zero extra base hits over his first eleven games in the 2023 season.
Baez — a player with a high baseball IQ — has not only slumped at the plate, but he’s also been making peculiar decisions on the field. On April 13, Baez was pulled by manager A.J. Hinch after he ran from second on a routine fly ball from Akil Baddoo with one out. That allowed Blue Jays outfielder Daulton Varsho to easily double him off, in what was a serious mental error on Baez’s part.
To say that this has been a rough start to the year for Baez would be a tremendous understatement.
2023 Fantasy Outlook
It’s rather bizarre to see Baez struggle the way he has over the past two seasons. The Tigers infielder has always been among the league’s most aggressive hitters, hence the high strikeout totals. However, his ability to make contact and drive the ball always seemed to guarantee the shortstop at least a .270-.280 batting average. But since he’s joined the Tigers, Baez’s been far from the elite shortstop we are used to seeing.
Baez seemed primed for a bounce back season in 2023, given his track record, tools, and a looming contract opt-out that he can exercise at the end of this season. But not only does he look like he won’t opt out of his lofty deal with Detroit, it’s not easy to project where Baez goes from here.
It’s tempting to take a stab on Baez if he’s available, especially if you’re an owner of Tim Anderson, Oneil Cruz, or Corey Seager. All three are on the IL, making someone like Baez lucrative. We can’t, however, recommend you take a chance on him. And if you have him on your roster, it’s a good idea to see if you can find a better option on the market.
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