Former Cubs’ All-Star Javier Báez has gotten back on track by changing for Tigers

In what is already shaping up to be one of the season’s most anticipated series, the Chicago Cubs will face off against an old friend in tonight’s opener against the Detroit Tigers. Former Cub Javier Báez will be in the lineup tonight in the midst of a career-reviving season with the Tigers, but Cubs fans won’t find him where they are accustomed to seeing him.

Looking to try something new, the Tigers floated the idea of Báez making the shift to centerfield in spring training. Despite only making four appearances in the outfield across his entire career heading into the season, Báez made his first career start in centerfield on April 21. With the Tigers currently holding a commanding lead in the AL Central division, Báez felt the change would set not just himself, but the team as a whole, up for success.

“We’re here to help the team,” Báez said. “Everybody’s available to help the team. There’s many times here to play different positions, and we have a lot of guys that can do it. If I can stay healthy, I’ll do whatever, man. I can even catch if you need me.”

Injuries limited Báez to only 80 games in 2024, putting forward a -1.1 bWAR while also struggling at shortstop with -1 outs above average, the first year in his career where his OAA was in the negatives.

Javier Báez is once again the player Cubs fans came to love

Báez experimented with swing changes heading into the 2025 campaign, closing his stance while also reducing the bat movement throughout his swing. The result? A .275 batting average to go along with six home runs.

In addition to his success at the plate, Báez has adjusted perfectly to his change in position, ranking in the 91st percentile in fielding range according to Baseball Savant. At the season’s start, he was projected to be a borderline utility player with one of the worst contracts in baseball. Now, his recent success has turned him into an established starter on a contending team once again, a role he excelled in throughout his time in Chicago.

Now in the fourth year of a six-year $140 million contract, Báez looks to have finally hit his stride with the Tigers, becoming the player they initially signed him to be. While Cubs fans will be rooting against him this weekend, it’s good to see Báez experiencing success and looking like “El Mago” once again for the first time in years.