Former world champion Cubs' core falling flat with new teams after 2021 departures

Javier Baez's time in Detroit has been an unmitigated disaster

If you're looking for someone to challenge Bryant as one of the worst free agent signings in recent memory, look no further than his former teammate, Javier Baez.

Baez, who, at his peak, was one of the most electric players in the league, made his return to Wrigley this week, getting an emotional welcome from the fans before going 0-for-4 with four strikeouts in the series opener. That pretty much encapsulates his entire Tigers career, which really couldn't have gone worse than it has to this point.

Still just 31, the former Gold Glover not only has regressed at the plate, but even his defense has shown a remarkable inconsistency with his glove, as well. His swing-and-miss is worse than ever, evidenced by a chase rate that has ranked in the bottom 1 percent of all qualified hitters for four years running.

He's got all the makings of a DFA candidate. Frankly, he's dead money already and slotting someone else into the lineup wouldn't net out any worse production. We're talking about a guy making $25 million a year relegated to the nine-hole in the batting order. Again, it's hard to watch a guy who meant so much to the Cubs struggle so mightily - but, man, Jed Hoyer looks like a genius for not going long-term on the former MVP runner-up.