After enduring a challenging 2023 season, Javier Baez, the shortstop for the Detroit Tigers, is opting for a significant shift in his offseason routine. Instead of returning to Puerto Rico, he plans to spend the majority of the offseason in the United States.
According to information from Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press, as summarized by MLBTradeRumors, Baez aims to make targeted changes to his offseason training. Specifically, he intends to concentrate on strengthening his back and core muscles in an effort to regain the athleticism that enabled him to hit an impressive 86 home runs between 2017 and 2019. This ranked as the fourth-highest total among qualified shortstops during that period. The 31-year-old Baez hopes that by successfully addressing the challenges posed by aging, he can reclaim the power that defined his offensive prowess in his earlier years. Such a resurgence would be a significant asset to the Tigers, who finished in the bottom four of the majors with a team-wide wRC+ of just 89 in the 2023 season.
Revitalizing Baez’s performance is a key offseason priority for the Detroit Tigers, who secured a second-place finish in the American League Central and aspire to make further strides in the upcoming 2024 season.
During the past year, Baez struggled, batting only .222 with a .267 on-base percentage. In 136 games, he hit nine home runs and drove in 59 runs. Despite the challenging season, Baez, a two-time All-Star, boasts a lifetime batting average of .256 with 175 home runs and 591 RBI. His career has seen him play for the Cubs, Mets, and Tigers, with a notable World Series victory with the Cubs in 2016.
Currently under contract until the 2027 season, Baez is set to earn $25 million in the upcoming season.
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