Cubs Rumors: Are the Detroit Tigers the frontrunner for Javier Baez?

For weeks, it’s seemed like the Detroit Tigers and free agent superstar Carlos Correa were ready to  make it official. The fit is obvious and there’s the obvious connection between manager AJ Hinch and his former player.

But now, according to Jon Morosi, the Tigers have shifted their focus and have spent the last several days talking with former Chicago Cubs infielder Javier Baez.

Baez is part of this winter’s star-studded free agent class of shortstops, but isn’t going to command anywhere near the same payday as someone like Correa or Corey Seager, the two biggest names in the group. But after he made critical adjustments and caught fire with the Mets after the Cubs sent him packing in their trade deadline sell-off, his stock is sky-high.

Following the deal, Baez slashed .299/.371/.515 – good for a 141 OPS+. Detroit is rumored to want a star infielder in free agency, but are hesitant to drop the $300+ million Seager and Correa are looking for. That makes sense given it took the Tigers nearly a decade to get out from all the high dollar deals from their last competitive window.

Cubs fans know better than anyone the abilities Baez possesses. There are few in the game today with a baseball IQ as high as his – and he showcases it in every area of his game, from baserunning to defense (not to mention his exploits at the dish). But he’s streaky, incredibly so, and that’s a big reason why he’s clocking in as part of that second-tier of shortstops available.

A Chicago Cubs reunion with Javier Baez has always felt like a long shot

Of the team’s big three – Javier Baez, Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo – Baez has always felt like the one with the best odds of returning to Chicago this winter. But with Correa and Seager looking for record-level dollars, teams are pivoting to the likes of Baez and Marcus Semien – which would allow them to fill their need at shortstop and leave funds to spend elsewhere.

I’d say the chances of Baez returning to the North Side are at their lowest point yet. Detroit’s got the money – and if they don’t want to shell out that aforementioned record contract to Correa – El Mago is one of the next-best options out there on the market.