{"id":70319,"date":"2024-04-11T07:00:26","date_gmt":"2024-04-11T11:00:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/?p=70319"},"modified":"2024-04-10T23:06:38","modified_gmt":"2024-04-11T03:06:38","slug":"baez-ridiculous-contract-tigers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2024\/04\/11\/baez-ridiculous-contract-tigers\/","title":{"rendered":"A Big Contract is Hindering the Detroit Tigers"},"content":{"rendered":"

In December 2021, the Detroit Tigers signed Javier B\u00e1ez<\/a> to a ridiculous six-year contract<\/a> for $140 million. It was a deal exceeded in its absurdity only by the one<\/a> the Los Angeles Angels gave Anthony Rendon<\/a>. It came with a player opt-out option after two years, a 10-team no-trade clause, and various incentives. However, after hitting .222\/.267\/.325 with 9 homers and 59 RBI in 2023, B\u00e1ez declined the option. Thus, he\u2019ll be with the Tigers through 2027. His annual payday will be $25 million in 2024 and 2025 and $24 million in 2026 and 2027. Unfortunately, it\u2019s a deal that will hinder the Tigers until it expires.<\/p>\n

B\u00e1ez’s Ridiculous Six-Year Contract Hindering Tigers<\/h2>\n

Good Track Record for B\u00e1ez<\/strong><\/h3>\n

B\u00e1ez had a good track record from his time as a Chicago Cub from 2014-21. He played all over the infield, mostly in the middle, and even a few games in the corner outfield spots. In those eight years, which included two months with the New York Mets after he was traded there<\/a> in 2021, he hit .265\/.307\/.477, with 149 home runs and 465 RBI in 862 games. His best year was 2018, when he hit .290\/.326\/.554 with 34 HR and a National League-leading 111 RBI. He was named to the All-Star team, finished second in MVP voting, and won a Silver Slugger Award. He was an All-Star the following year as well. In the COVID-shortened 2020 season, B\u00e1ez won his only Gold Glove Award for his play at shortstop.<\/p>\n

Fortunately for the Tigers and B\u00e1ez, whenever bad contracts are discussed, their deal is overshadowed by the ridiculous contract given to Rendon. Let\u2019s start by pointing out that unlike Rendon, who has spent his years with the Angels mostly working on the Pensky file, B\u00e1ez has been in the lineup most days. In 2022 and 2023, he played in 280 of Detroit\u2019s 324 games despite playing the demanding shortstop position.<\/p>\n

One Stat Should Have Set Off Alarms<\/h3>\n

In 2021, B\u00e1ez hit .265\/.319\/.494, 31 HR, and 87 RBI while playing strictly in the middle infield. It was no mystery that there would be several teams bidding for his services at the end of the season. B\u00e1ez even showed himself to be a clever, resourceful player, at least for one May afternoon in Pittsburgh. Not content to be tagged out in what should have been an inning-ending groundout, he goaded Pirates first baseman Will Craig<\/a> into a preposterous rundown between home plate and first base, resulting in two runs for the Cubs and Craig resuming his career in Japan.
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