The Detroit Tigers committed $140 million to Javier Baez in the 2021-22 offseason.
They knew his strengths and weaknesses and decided to ink him to a six-year deal worth that much.
In 2021, he had 31 homers and 18 steals while hitting a decent .265 and posting 4.0 fWAR (Wins Above Replacement).
That number fell all the way down to 2.0 in 2022, his first season with the Tigers.
Playing on one of the worst teams in baseball, Baez slashed a poor .238/.278/.393 with 17 home runs and nine steals in 2022.
Things have been going even worse in the early stages of the 2023, and fans just can’t understand it.
“Javy Báez is far & away the most frustrating player I’ve ever watched in a Tigers’ uniform. He hit .265/.319/.494 in 2021, he signs w/Detroit, and has hit .229/.270/.373 since. He also forgotten how to throw the ball from shortstop, and how to run the bases. I just don’t understand it,” @Miggysbat tweeted.
Javy Báez is far & away the most frustrating player I’ve ever watched in a Tigers’ uniform.
Hit .265/.319/.494 in 2021, signs w/ Detroit, and has hit .229/.270/.373 since. He also forgotten how to throw the ball from shortstop, and how to run the bases.
I just don’t understand it.
— Miguel Cabrera’s Bat (Benson) (@Miggysbat) April 13, 2023
His comment stems from a puzzling baserunning play from Thursday’s game.
He was at second base when a fly ball was batted to center field.
There was just one out on the scoreboard, and Baez took off to third base thinking there were two outs.
Naturally, the fielder threw to second base and he was out.
You can look at the disappointment and the frustration through Baez’s eyes.
The manager benched him, as one would expect after such a colossal mental mistake.
If the Tigers have any hope of contending soon, they need Baez to start hitting again and to keep his head in the game.
Fans are becoming increasingly frustrated about his performance.
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