The Tigers placed shortstop Javier Baez on the 10-day injured list yesterday, calling up Ryan Kriedler from Triple-A to fill the void in the infield. It is the second time this season that Baez has been sent to the IL due to lumbar inflammation, though this latest placement also involves inflammation in his right hip. Tigers manager A.J. Hinch told reporters (including Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press) that “we haven’t gotten the full diagnosis” on Baez’s injuries yet, but the team should shortly “know a little bit more about what the next month looks like and what, if any, baseball activity he’ll be able to do.”
That doesn’t sound like it bodes well for Baez’s chances of returning in 2024, as the Tigers have only the faintest hopes of a wild card berth and might just choose to shut Baez down to get him ready for next year. While injuries have contributed to Baez’s struggles this season, his .184/.221/.294 slash line over 289 plate appearances marks the third straight disastrous year for Baez since coming to Detroit on a six-year, $140MM free agent deal in the 2021-22 offseason. With $73MM still owed to Baez over the 2025-27 seasons, the contract is already an albatross, and it remains to be seen exactly how much longer the Tigers still stick with Baez as a regular part of their lineup (or whether they could release him altogether).
More from around the AL Central…
- Sonny Gray told the Minneapolis Star Tribune’s Bobby Nightengale that the Twins didn’t make much of a push to re-sign him when the veteran righty entered free agency last winter. “They were very transparent from the get-go, saying, ’Listen, we do not have the resources to give you a contract, as much as we would like to.’ So, I kind of knew that,” Gray said. “Even though we did come back a couple of times and try to work on some things, I kind of knew early on that it wasn’t [happening].” The Twins’ lack of certainty over their broadcasting contract led to a payroll reduction last winter and continued budget limitations this year, so it didn’t seem too likely that Minnesota would be able to outbid the several other clubs who had interest in Gray’s services. Gray ended up signing a three-year, $75MM deal with the Cardinals, and he has continued to pitch well in St. Louis, if not at the level of his AL Cy Young runner-up performance with the Twins in 2023. Gray will face his old teammates today when he gets the start for the Cards in today’s game in Minneapolis.
- In other Twins news, Alex Kirilloff started a Triple-A rehab assignment yesterday and Brooks Lee will start a similar assignment today, manager Rocco Baldelli told the Minneapolis Star Tribune’s Bobby Nightengale and other reporters. However, Baldelli still didn’t have any new news on Carlos Correa, saying the shortstop is just “continually making steady improvement” as he recovers from plantar fasciitis in his right heel. Correa hasn’t played since July 12, and he received a PRP injection early in his recovery process.
- White Sox GM Chris Getz told reporters (including Mike Clark of the Chicago Sun-Times) that Yoan Moncada and Michael Soroka will start Triple-A rehab assignments on Tuesday. Moncada played in only 11 games before a left adductor strain sidelined him for the majority of the season, but it looks like he’s on track to get back to the majors at some point in September. Soroka had a 5.23 ERA over 72 1/3 innings in his first season with the White Sox, and he has missed close to six weeks recovering from a strain in his right shoulder.
Gray’s FIP is about what I expected it to be. He’s not an innings eater but he’s been pretty good no complaints.
Just an FYI that the Star Tribune changed their name recently to Minnesota Star Tribune.
second lamest name change in history….lamest is Guaranteed Rate Field
Good move by the Tribune to remove Minneapolis from their name. Many now associate the word of Minneapolis with burning buildings, car jackings, robberies, and physical attacks on police officers.
Do you really think that you’re making any sort of positive change by bringing (divisive) politics into a sports post? You’re the only one being political, and for what?
Some folks can’t help it b/c it’s sadly their entire identity and are too scared to ever step out of their bubble.
I didn’t read anything political in his comment. Crime stuff, sure, but it feels like if you take that as talking about a political party, that might be more on you than him. Chicago is in bad shape these days when compared to times in the past, and they have pretty much always had democrats as mayors. Daley just seemed to know how to run things.
No, Daley just did a good job at covering things up.
Drove through it today and it seemed great despite the state fair traffic.
Can’t wait for the day Yoan is no longer with the Sox. Some people would argue Eloy, but Moncada has to be the biggest disappointment of the whole Hahn rebuild haul.
Nick Madrigal was a bigger disappointment. We at least got one good year out of Moncada. Can’t say the same for Madrigal. Can also make a case for Andrew Vaughn. We wasted a pair of high 1st round picks on the so-called “best hitter in college baseball”. Didn’t translate in either case.
Madrigal probably cost 10 percent of what Moncada stole from the Sox.
Moncada is a joke, has the heart of an artichoke
Another joke associated to Moncada, is how over the top, the ‘great’ Hawk Harrelson and the ‘brilliant’ Steve Stone – used to go on, and on, trying to convince Sox fans how great of a player Moncada and Kopech we’re gonna be.
That’s blasphemy hawk was the best to ever do it! Unabashed Homer and loved doing it. You should be ashamed of yourself!
In other words, he was an abject slobbering hack.
Even as a Royals fan, I appreciated Hawk’s unabashed love for the Sox. And his call of the Buehrle perfect game was honestly one of my all time favorites. He was a diehard and you gotta respect it.
His love of the game was exceeded only by his ignorance of anything between “great” and “bad”, and his 5-word vocabulary.
Baez will be given one more go around next year, will be released by the end of June if he can’t figure it out.
Guys like Baez, Rendon and K.Bryant are what makes teams so reluctant to sign long term deals. I’m not saying I know, but these guys make you wonder how much effort they’re really putting forward on the diamond.
Bryant is rarely on the diamond.
The need to cut him or make him a backup only in the offseason. They absolutely need to go sign or trade for a shortstop who can play well for the next 2-5 years.
They already traded for Sweeney and have McGonigle, ranked 10th best MLB SS prospect, and Rainer behind him. Javy is their righty backup until one of them proves they can hit lefties consistently or, assuming Sweeney sticks, until McGonigle is ready to come up. Last thing they need is another boat anchor FA contract.
Most of what I’ve read about McGonigle has him tabbed for 2B eventually but I’m sure if he hits they’ll play him wherever he fits. If Sweeney doesn’t look like he will be the answer I’d be okay if they signed Kim or traded for a young versatile bat like Matt McLain. Both can move around and play elsewhere. Your point is well taken though about how Javy could fit. Cheers dude.
Hahn traded great pitcher Chris Sale to Boston for their over rated garbage. Probably on orders from the chairman himself.
Hahn had to convince Reinsdorf to go with the rebuild similar to the way the Cubs had just succeeded with in 2016. With JR though, it wouldn’t and didn’t work because Jerry wouldn’t spend to the CBT threshold.
The Sox had poor scouting, it did not help that they pampered Moncada endlessly. The end result is money thrown away basically.
I just hope the Pohlad family is doing OK with their limited resources.
Baez will be DFA this off season, even with the money owed
We can only hope.
Yes, I TRULY do hope they cut ties with Baez. Too bad. It seems as though he’s very well liked in the clubhouse.
Even keeping him around as a backup infielder seems like a stretch with his lack of hitting. It’s too bad his hitting fell off a cliff. I have always liked him as a player prior to coming to Detroit.
While many fans want this, it makes no sense to let him go until another prospect, most likely McGonigle, pushes him off the team. They need a righty SS bat vs LHP and they are already paying him. That said, they won’t hesitate to put him on the IR if he’s not 100% so that may be how this ultimately ends up, he finally realizes he can’t play anymore and they arrange a buyout. Makes no sense to cut him, pay him, and sign Javy 2.0 to another big FA contract.
Baez needs work, let no one delude themselves. Time to fix his swing, and get healthy. If the Tigers never again do a long term deal with a F.A. whose from another team, this fan will be more than happy. Buying someones else end of years is a rotten idea.
I love this new Tigers management and young team make up. It’s getting really fun to watch these guys play. Spending big money on Skubal makes sense because they know him. One year flyer’s on F.A.;s are okay, but multi years, that is a no go. Drafting high school kids is the way to go now and forever for the Tigers. The hard times have been done, and it’s smooth sailing ahead.
Even teams that are successful at developing their own players still have to fill in around the edges with free agents. They need a SS for the next 2-5 years unless Sweeney shows something in his audition. Baez is cooked. Matt McLain or another young versatile guy. Also a late inning reliever, a starter (Flaherty, Verlander, Buehler?), and a bat. You are right though, the heavy lifting needs to come from drafting and developing players.
Flaherty and Manaea for the rotation. I wouldn’t mind Verlander… maybe do a Smoltz and go to the pen as a closer.
Bregman at 3B would be nice. Jung was never going to be there long-term. Jung can be insurance if Torkelson fails. Make a deal for Fuduccia as backup catcher.
C Dingler/Feduccia
1B Tork
2B Keith
SS Sweeney
3B Bregman
LF Greene
CF Meadows
RF Vierling
DH Carpenter
Baez, Jung, Perez on the bench
Skubal/ Flaherty/ Manaea/ Olson/ Mize in the rotation
Foley/ Holton/ Vest and anyone Fetter wants to build up for the pen. Verlander as closer?
CF Meadows
3B Bregman
LF Greene
1B Tork
DH Carpenter
2B Keith
RF Vierling
SS Sweeney
C Dingler/ Feduccia platoon
Outfield defense is very good. Left side of the infield is very good. Catchers are both very good. Keith and Tork are the only worrisome defensively. Baez could be late inning defensive replacement for Keith if needed.
I think Vierling ends up as a supersub next year. I’d love them to sign Verlander or bring Flaherty back. Manaea has had a nice bounce back season. They definitely need another back end guy in the pen. Miller has pitched better than his ERA suggests.
Bregman’s bat would fit nicely in the middle of the order. Jung has looked good though. I’m thinking they might be more likely to sign a Rhys Hoskins type to soak up some 1B/DH at bats like Canha did this year. Tork’s defense was not great at 1B so maybe he gets into the DH mix too? Maybe Keith plays 1B and Jung goes back to 2B? I think Carp should play OF and let Malloy DH if he can get his strikeouts under control.
With a couple additions they could have a pretty competitive team next year. Free agent signings or some trades. Maybe some guys like Tork and Manning need a fresh start elsewhere.
Bregman is simply Javy 2.0. He already had a really slow start to the season and Houston apparently isn’t interested in extending him. That’s a huge red flag. He’s also 30, at least Javy was 27 when the Tigers signed him.
Sr. Smoke:
You seem unduly worked up over:
a) Javier Baez as a person, and
b) what other people think about you.
Sounds like some anger and self-esteem issues, et al., to deal with.
“unduly worked up over…as a person”….. “Fan” is short for fanatic and everyone is entitled to their own opinion. It’s what Fandom is. You can’t tell me that Javy Baez doesn’t hear the same opinion in Detroit everytime he strikes out taking a wild swing while falling to the ground in the 9th inning. Being a pro athlete means you have to hear the opinions of the people who pay your salary on a daily basis.
Which white Sox season was the worst,the 1919 Black Sox season when some players took payment to throw the World Series or this season when undoubtly they lose more games than any MLB team ever in one season.
They need to cut bait on Javy this offseason and eat the loss. Better than SS being a hole in the lineup. Let Sweeney play if he shows something before the end of the season or go sign someone for the next 2-5 years until Rainer or someone else arrives.
I thought they needed gray this offseason, but I think I may have been wrong. I had doubts in SWR being ready and I was happy I wrong and I grew up a twins fan and knew they were bad at developing pitching, and again I’m happy I’m wrong.
I’ve never been mad about the twins being bat first, but always wished they didn’t aim at a mid-higher rotation. I think now their farm is turning out higher end players that can step up.
Sonny Gray signed a huge contract because in late 2018 while still with the Yankees and stinking it up, Roger Beshens sent Sonny a message while with the Yankees, Beshens messaged Sonny Gray to use an on center grip, and throw it like a football, with a stiff wrist. Gray started throwing it with the Reds and that’s the only reason Sonny Gray is still in MLB. He was done just like Charlie Morton after the Phillies. That RB Football Slider has not only changed the game many pitcher’s ego’s are so fragile they call that RB football Slider a curve or cutter. The good thing for Roger Beshens is he’s talking almost daily with Brent Strom and look at the Dbacks this year. Nelson is another pitcher half his cutters are RB Football Sliders. GInkel, PUK, Thompson, have enough sense to call it what the pitch really is a football slider. Pfaadt admit’s his sweeper is a Football Slider. There’s a video from Feb 29 2024 in the Dbacks Bullpen where the Roger Beshens Football Slider is acknowledged.
“I’m Roger Beshens, and I approve this message.”
Hinch and Harris brought up Sweeney which immediately made Javy a LHP only bench player. I don’t think they’re scared of him. They just haven’t had better options. Kriedler was supposed to be the future SS but he can’t hit.
Moncada just is the end result of an org that has zero accountability. Refusing to hold anyone accountable, and then the owner decides he has to play in the sandbox and ruin his own rebuild. Williams should have been gone about 10 years prior, but instead was allowed to make moves over his GM as well. Finally removed as scapegoats for the rebuild he (‘The Miser’ himself) helped torpedo with stabbing the manager in the back that brought the team out of the rebuild and bringing in a guy who hadn’t managed for over a decade who was completely out of touch with the game and its players.
Giving a bunch of money to a load of soft players, who were happy to take their money then be mediocre for the rest of the time. did not help either.
Moncada milked this team like a cow, and I would be surprised if he played even one more game for the Sox. If he does it will be good enough to sucker the Sox, or another team into giving him any sort of decent deal, then it will be back to ‘ow my [insert body part here], see you in 4 months.. oh BTW where do I go to pick up my check?’
Just leave Moncada and Saroka in triple A.