The Detroit Tigers made it official Wednesday, announcing their six-year contract with All-Star shortstop Javier Baez on his birthday.
Terms were not released, but Baez reportedly gets $140 million. Baez turned 29 on Wednesday.
“There’s no secret that improving the middle of our infield was a top priority for us this off-season, and we’re thrilled to announce the addition of one of baseball’s most electric players to help fill that need,” Tigers general manager Al Avila said in a statement. “Javy’s track record shows he’ll be an elite defender, and a special bat in the heart of our lineup. He’s a key piece to a highly competitive core of players that we are developing here in Detroit.”
Baez hit .265 with 31 homers, 87 RBIs and 18 steals last season with the Chicago Cubs and New York Mets. He was traded to New York in July after negotiations with the Cubs, which began in November 2020, failed to produce a long-term deal with the energetic middle infielder.
“I’m excited to be a Detroit Tiger,” said Baez. “This is a team that is on the rise, and I’ve heard the fans in Detroit are hungry for a winner.”
Baez came up as a middle infielder and started at second base for the Cubs before moving to shortstop. He also played third base in Chicago.
A first-round pick in 2011, Baez was a two-time National League All-Star with the Cubs.
A career .264 hitter, Baez has 149 home runs.
–Field Level Media