When the Chicago Cubs dealt Javier Báez to the New York Mets through the nice summer time sell-off of 2021, many followers hoped they’d carry him again as a free agent that offseason.
While President Jed Hoyer reportedly spoke with Báez’s agent a couple of return, the Cubs had no intention of paying the sort of cash the Detroit Tigers did after they reeled him in with a six-year, $140 million deal.
As Báez confronted his outdated staff Monday at Comerica Park, the Cubs had been in the course of a playoff hunt whereas the Tigers remained of their regular mode — perpetually rebuilding. The Cubs took the primary recreation of the collection, 7-6.
So would the Cubs be in the identical place had Hoyer re-signed Báez?
The apparent reply is “no chance.”
Báez’s .592 OPS going into Monday’s recreation was second-worst within the majors amongst certified hitters, forward of solely White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson (.568). He’s hit a mixed .231 with a .637 OPS in his two seasons in Detroit, enjoying on dangerous groups in a half-empty ballpark.
It additionally goes with out saying the Cubs wouldn’t have signed free agent Dansby Swanson, whose 3.8 WAR ranked fourth amongst shortstops and whose protection has been Gold Glove-caliber.
Báez has no regrets, as he mentioned in June on a visit to the South Side.
“With all due respect, I don’t care what people say about me or my numbers or my attitude or what I do,” he mentioned. “I’m going to be myself, whether people like it or not.”
He’ll all the time stay a legend in Chicago, and his jersey remains to be worn at Wrigley by dozens of followers each recreation. But perhaps the Cubs dodged a bullet when extension talks stalled after the pandemic hit in March 2020.
There was no probability Báez could be ignored Monday when the Cubs got here to city for a three-game collection. Many of his teammates wore Obvious Shirts throughout batting observe that learn “El Mago.” It seemed the identical because the Obvious Shirt bought in Chicago when he starred on the North Side, besides in orange letters on a navy blue T-shirt, the Tigers’ colours.
Tigers efficiency coach Shane Wallen, previously a power coach with the Cubs, has a reference to the Obvious Shirts’ proprietor and ordered them for the Cubs collection. Tigers utilityman Zach McKinstry, whom the Cubs traded to Detroit for pitching prospect Carlos Guzman in spring coaching, mentioned it was their approach of getting a “nice tribute” to Báez, who didn’t participate in pregame batting observe.
“I don’t think it’s a big deal for him, honestly,” McKinstry mentioned. “He’s going to come out and do the same thing he does, play hard and play the game the right way. I’m sure you guys will see some good stuff.”
Báez went 1-for-4 with a two-run double. He was buzzed by reliever Hayden Wesneski on a 96 mph fastball within the sixth inning earlier than putting out on a sweeper outdoors the zone, and his double down the best area line off Michael Fulmer within the three-run eighth introduced the Tigers to inside a run earlier than McKinstry’s bloop single tied it.
Back-to-back doubles by Yan Gomes and Nick Madrigal ignited a two-run ninth, and Mark Leiter survived a late rally to notch his fourth save.
“That was big,” Madrigal mentioned. “Even when it doesn’t go your way, pitching-side, offensive-side, when the rest of your team is there to pick you up, that’s what makes a special team … For us to bounce back in the top of the next inning was huge.”
Cubs supervisor David Ross referred to as it a “character win” for his staff.
“We’ve got some guys that normally hold down the back end of the bullpen,” he mentioned, referring to resting nearer Adbert Alzolay and Julian Merryweather. “If those guys are available today we can probably stretch it out to a 7-2 game and it feels like more of a blowout. Sometimes you have to claw tooth and nail.”
Before the sport, Ross lauded Báez as “one of those players you buy a ticket to come watch.”
“Exciting player, friend, World Series brother, phenomenal dude, good player,” he added. “That’s all I got.”
Asked by a Detroit reporter if he was stunned by Báez’s struggles with the Tigers, Ross replied: “Yes.”
Asked to elaborate, Ross spoke of watching a “great” participant in Chicago who liked to compete.
“I know it can’t be for a lack of trying and effort, and wanting to be out there and have success and put on an amazing show for fans,” Ross mentioned. “He loves baseball and he loves being in the spotlight and doing well and wants the big moment. To see him struggle does shock me, yeah.”
While Báez struggles in Detroit, a former Tiger, Jeimer Candelario, has been one of many Cubs’ Most worthy acquisitions. The Tigers non-tendered Candelario final November, and he signed a one-year, $5 million take care of the Washington Nationals.
“Unfortunately he struggled a little bit last year, and due to the nature of our situation it was a very difficult decision for us at the tender deadline,” Tigers president Scott Harris, a former protege of Theo Epstein, mentioned after the transfer. “He seems like he’s in a position now where he can get plenty of at-bats and try to recapture the player he was a couple of years ago.”
That’s precisely what occurred. Candelario started Monday tied for second within the majors in doubles with 35 and was tenth with 55 extra-base hits. Candelario performed first base Monday, however his fielding at third base has been a lot better than marketed.
“I knew he was clean over there,” Ross mentioned. “I think the hands work really well. It definitely shocked me how well the hands have played … And he’s smart. His baseball IQ has grown throughout the years, and defensively he’s been great for us. I’ve asked him to do a lot of different things. Move to first, move to third, bounce around a little bit. But he’s consistently played third all year and it’s just nice to be able to have someone who is willing to do that and be part of winning.”
Candelario, who acquired a pleasant ovation when he stepped as much as the plate within the second inning, mentioned he liked enjoying in Detroit, recalling enjoying within the snow in Comerica Park on Opening Day. But now he looks like he’s again within the Cubs household, the place he started his profession. As a pending free agent, he stands to money in subsequent winter.
“Who knows what will happen?” Candelario mentioned. “I’m here right now, trying to do the best I can to help my team win and see if they give me the opportunity to be here a long time.”
Báez thought he’d have that chance, nevertheless it didn’t work out.
Life goes on, and nobody is irreplaceable.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com