Baez signs with Tigers for six years, $140M
Javy Baez has agreed to a six-year, $140 million contract with the Tigers, giving them a dynamic bat, likely batting cleanup, for the middle of their order.
Baez, who turns 29 on Wednesday, hit .265 with 31 homers and 87 RBI in 138 games with the Cubs and Mets in 2021. The move likely puts Baez back at shortstop after he finished the year at second base while playing alongside friend Francisco Lindor with the Mets.
The Tigers have been looking for a shortstop since they went 77-85 this season, finishing third in the American League Central behind the White Sox and Cleveland.
Looking to build around a young core that includes pitcher Casey Mize and slugger Spencer Torkelson, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 amateur draft, the Tigers also traded for catcher Tucker Barnhart and signed left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez to a five-year, $77 million contract in free agency.
Baez was selected by the Cubs with the No. 9 overall pick in the 2011 amateur draft. The two-time All-Star made his big-league debut in 2014. In his first full season in 2016, Baez helped the Cubs win it all for their first championship since 1908. He was runner-up for the National League MVP in 2018.
Baez was traded to New York on July 30 in a deal that shipped promising minor-league outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong to the Cubs.
It was considered a banner year for middle infielders in free agency. Corey Seager (10 years, $325M) and Marcus Semien (seven years, $175M) signed with Texas, while Carlos Correa and Trevor Story remain unsigned.
Marlins trade for Wendle
The Marlins acquired All-Star infielder Joey Wendle from the Rays in exchange for minor-league outfielder Kameron Misner.
Wendle, who can’t become a free agent until after 2023, battled .265 with a career-high 11 home runs and 54 RBI this season. His 3.8 wins above replacement was third on the Rays behind Brandon Lowe and Randy Arozarena.
The Marlins also signed right-hander Sandy Alcantara to a five-year, $56 million deal and traded catcher Jorge Alfaro to the Padres.
This and that
The Nationals signed infielder Cesar Hernandez to a one-year, $4 million contract. Hernandez joined the White Sox at the 2021 trade deadline. He hit .232 with 15 RBI in 53 games for the Sox.
† The Angels reportedly re-signed closer Raisel Iglesias to a four-year, $58 million deal and signed right-hander Michael Lorenzen to a one-year $6.75 million deal.
† The Brewers re-signed first baseman Rowdy Tellez and signed catchers Pedro Severino and Brett Sullivan to one-year deals.
† The Pirates reportedly signed former Cleveland catcher Roberto Perez to a oneyear deal, $5 million deal.
† The Giants signed right-hander Alex Cobb to a two-year, $20 million deal.
† The Yankees re-signed infielder Gio Urshela to a one-year, $6.55 million deal.
† The Rays signed reliever Brooks Raley to a two-year $10 million deal.