Javier Báez's Stats, Metrics, Game Logs, Projections & Rankings

Detroit Tigers shortstop Javier Baez is out of the team's starting lineup on Tuesday against the New York Mets. In his place, Zach McKinstry will start at shortstop and bat ninth versus Mets right-hander Adrian Houser. Baez could already use a break early in the year after going just 3-for-16 (.188) with an RBI, stolen base, run scored and six strikeouts in his first four games in 2024. The 31-year-old has fallen far since signing a six-year, $140 million deal with Detroit before the 2022 season. About the only thing Baez did well last year was to lower his strikeout rate a bit. McKinstry is a low-upside dart throw at the shortstop position in DFS while hitting at the bottom of the order. He's never faced Houser in his career.

Detroit Tigers shortstop Javier Baez went 0-for-3 versus the New York Yankees on Sunday. Baez is now hitless in his first 11 at-bats with no walks in the Grapefruit League. Speaking earlier in the offseason, Baez noted that he strengthened his conditioning after dealing with back and core injuries in his first two seasons for the Tigers. The 31-year-old is certain to get plenty of playing time in Detroit this year, but much of that can be due to the six-year, $140 million deal that he signed, in which he is in year three of. Due to past success, Baez is always worth keeping an eye on, but outside of deeper leagues, the former MVP candidate can remain nothing more than a late-round dart throw or watch-list candidate.

Detroit Tigers shortstop Javier Baez (back, core) said he has battled through lower-back and core issues the last two years. However, with a new training routine, he said he feels strong and more like himself heading into the 2024 season. Baez didn't have any offseason surgery but just focused on strengthening those areas. It would help explain why the 31-year-old has tailed off as a hitter in his first two years in Detroit. He has slashed a pathetic .230/.273/.361 with 26 home runs, 126 RBI, 21 stolen bases and 272 strikeouts in 1,065 at-bats in his time with the Tigers and is currently outside RotoBaller's top-30 shortstop rankings. He's been a disaster since signing a six-year, $140 million, and time will only tell if better health will lead to better results.