Dramatic Collapse and Spectacular Recovery of Javier Báez
In the heart of Detroit, Javier Baez, the dynamic, golden-glove winner, and two-time All-Star, arrived with dreams of turning the Tigers into a championship-winning machine. After signing a whopping $140 million, six-year deal, expectations soared. But things went south real quick.
Baez played like a ghost of his former self, striking out on pitches way outside the strike zone – enough to make him a laughing stock in the league. By the end of the 2024 season, he had a measly .184 batting average, leaving fans with a sour taste. Injuries weren't sparing him either, as his hip and lower back issues nagged him throughout the year.
Detroit fans, known for their reserved nature, let their disapproval be heard loud and clear – something they rarely do. Boos rang out at Comerica Park, a first in recent years. Baez, unshaken, told our company Sports, "I don't care about their opinions. I know what I can do. I know what I've done."
Somehow, the Tigers managed to shrug off Baez's slump and made an improbable run to the playoffs. The team flourished despite his absence, leaving Baez to ponder his uncertain future. Spring training rolled around, and his name barely made a ripple. He seemed like an afterthought, rather than the highest-paid player on the roster.
But then something magical happened. In 2025, Baez revived his career. He gathered the boos and transformed them into cheers, finding ways to contribute that nobody expected. Baez celebrated 10 years of service time by smacking two home runs – a major milestone he reached in style.
"It's really fun, man," Baez told our company Sports about his team. "We have a lot of fun here. They stay together. That was one of the reasons I came here. I saw the other prospects coming up, and this was going to make a good team in the future."
Behind the Comeback
The seeds for Baez's successful 2025 season were sown during the challenging 2024 season. Inflammation in his lower back sidelined him for nearly a month, and even upon returning, his lower back and hips continued to trouble him. The end of his season came early, as he battled through the pain until August, eventually undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his right hip.
"It was really hard for me to get out of the lineup, and to be out for the last two months of the season," Baez shared with our company Sports. "It was really difficult to take that decision, but I knew I needed to."
The surgery aimed to address the inflammation in his hip and relieve the strain on his lower back. As a free-swinging player who enjoys big, powerful cuts, the pain made it nearly impossible for him to unleash his full potential. His swings, despite their force, were getting wider each season in Detroit.
In 2025, Baez made significant changes to his swing, shortening it, closing off his batting stance, and standing closer to the plate. The adjustments, combined with the freedom to play with less pain, allowed him to feel at ease once more in the batter's box.
"Everything is getting better – as a team, as an organization, as an experience," Baez told our company Sports. "But you know, the only difference for me is being healthy. I'm feeling healthy. I feel good. I'm making adjustments, and I'm playing better. I'm playing better for myself, and I'm playing better for the team."
Slowing Down the Pace
A rebuilding team may take time to allow players to iron out issues at the major league level. Contending teams, on the other hand, can't afford that luxury.
With the Tigers aiming to push for success in 2025, the team's front office and manager AJ Hinch faced a difficult question: Were they willing to let Baez prove that his recent struggles were an anomaly, or were they better off moving on?
By the time the 2025 season began, Hinch was relieved to see that the changes in Baez's performance were swift. Pleased with the team's performance in the playoffs without Baez the previous year, Hinch stressed versatility to Baez during off-season discussions. Baez was more than happy to oblige.
"I've been doing it all my career, you know?" Baez told reporters. "I've been playing all over the field all my career." He willingly moved from shortstop to centerfield, a position he had never played before in an MLB game, impressing with his range, speed, and strong arm.
As Baez adapted to his new role, the bat – that enigmatic part of his game, capable of making him a hero or a pariah – came around. The hits were slow to start, but by late April, they began to pile up. He started racking up home runs and stretching his batting average. It seemed like Baez's reputation as an automatic out might be a thing of the past.
"Certain players in big moments do big things," former Tigers outfielder and current color commentator for the team's broadcasts, Andy Dirks, said. "Javi is one of those guys that if you put him in the spotlight, he excels."
By June, the Tigers were the best team in baseball, and Baez appeared reborn, much to the delight of Detroit's long-suffering fans.
"It's not exactly a career resurrection," Dirks shared with our company Sports. "The stats aren't as good as they were during those Wrigley Field days, he still chases pitches outside the zone more than just about anyone in MLB, and his numbers pale in comparison to 2018. But the stats don't tell the full story. Just as important is the effect he's having on the team itself."
In keeping with the team spirit and adapted mentality, Baez and the Tigers prepared to take on the challenges of the 2025 season, aiming to build upon the unexpected playoff run and bring playoff success to Detroit for the first time in years.
Baez proves that his 2024 slump was an anomaly as he revives his career in the 2025 MLB season, contributing in ways nobody expected and silencing the boos with cheers. His impressive performance, combined with his adaptability, earns him a place on the Tigers as they aim for their first playoff success in years.
Aj Hinch, the Tigers' manager, was relieved to see Baez's swift changes in performance, and he stressed versatility to Baez during off-season discussions. Baez willingly embraced the challenges, showcasing his versatility by moving from shortstop to centerfield in the MLB games for the first time in his career.
