Source: Tigers, Báez agree to $140 million, 6-year deal
Javier Báez is taking his high motor to Motor City.
Báez has agreed to a $140 million, six-year contract with Detroit, giving the Tigers a dynamic bat for the middle of their order.
Báez, who turns 29 on Wednesday, hit .265 with 31 homers and 87 RBIs in 138 games with the Cubs and Mets this season. The move likely puts Báez back at shortstop after he finished the year at second base while playing alongside good friend Francisco Lindor in New York.
The contract is pending a physical, according to a person with direct knowledge of the situation.
Detroit had been looking for a shortstop since it went 77-85 this season, finishing third in the AL Central.
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 Rodríguez to a $77 million, fiveyear contract in free agency.
Báez 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, quickly becoming one of baseball’s most popular players with his big-time power, slick defense and aggressive baserunning.
Báez batted .299 with nine homers and 22 RBIs in 47 games with the Mets. There was talk about a possible return, but the Mets remain in search of infield help after Báez decided to join the improved Tigers.
Source: Pirates, catcher Pérez reach 1-year deal
PITTSBURGH » The Pittsburgh Pirates didn’t waste time finding a replacement for Gold Glove catcher Jacob Stallings.
A person with knowledge of the decision tells The Associated Press the Pirates have agreed to a 1-year deal worth $5 million with former Cleveland catcher Roberto
Pérez. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity.
Pérez, 32, won Gold Gloves in 2019 and 2020 with Cleveland but hit just .149 with seven home runs and 17 RBIs in 44 games in 2021. The Guardians declined his $7 million option for 2022.
Source: Cubs, Gomes agree
Rays land Raley for $10M, trade Wendle to Marlins
CHICAGO » The Chicago Cubs added another catcher, agreeing to a $13 million, two-year contract with Yan Gomes.
The Cubs have Willson Contreras behind the plate, but he is eligible for free agency after next season and the team could decide to trade him if they can’t reach a long-term deal.
Gomes, 34, played for Washington and Oakland this year, batting .252 with 14 homers and 52 RBIs in 103 games.
ST. PETERSBURG, FLA. » The Tampa Bay Rays signed reliever Brooks Raley to a $10 million, two-year contract with a club option for 2024.
The defending AL East champions also traded All-Star infielder Joey Wendle to the Marlins for minor league outfielder Kameron Misner, and agreed with first baseman Ji-Man Choi on a $3.2 million, oneyear deal that avoids arbitration.
Raley went 2-3 with a 4.78 ERA in 58 games with Houston.
Wendle, a strong and versatile fielder out of West Chester University, batted .265 with a careerhigh 11 home runs and 54 RBIs this season for the Rays and made his first All-Star team.
Braves pick up Snitker option
ATLANTA » The Atlanta Braves have locked up manager Brian Snitker for three more seasons after he guided the team to its first World Series title since 1995.
The Braves announced they have exercised the option for the 2024 season on Snitker’s contract, an expected move for the highly popular skipper who already had two more years on his current deal.