The Tigers’ continued use of Javier Baez is a critique of team owner

The ongoing presence of Javier Baez with the Tigers speaks volumes about the team’s owner, Christopher Ilitch.

Ilitch should be questioning Baez’s contribution with a hefty price tag of $25 million. The six-year, $140 million contract signed in 2021 by former GM Al Avila seems increasingly ill-advised, given Baez’s lackluster performance since joining the Tigers.

Baez’s 2024 season has been a notable disappointment, marked by abysmal stats including a .167 batting average and a -1.0 WAR, making him the worst-performing player in baseball among qualified hitters.

His exorbitant salary only exacerbates the issue, with Baez being the highest-paid player on the team by a significant margin. Meanwhile, younger, cheaper talents are left in the shadows.

Despite the guaranteed nature of his contract, the Tigers’ leadership should consider taking action, perhaps by designating Baez for assignment, to send a message that underperformance is not tolerated.

However, the priority of the owner, Ilitch, seems to lean more towards profit and less towards on-field success, as evidenced by the team’s mediocre performance despite a relatively low payroll compared to the league’s salary cap.

Ultimately, until decisive action is taken, the Tigers will continue to languish in mediocrity, with Baez emblematic of their struggles, and the owner’s priorities will remain under scrutiny.