Javier Báez took a number of of his Detroit Tigers teammates on a tour of Chicago all through Thursday’s off day, along with a ship journey on the lake.
Regardless of being traded all through Cubs President Jed Hoyer’s summer time season sell-off in 2021, Báez nonetheless has city on his ideas.
“The town and the individuals, man, the way in which all people loves their sports activities right here, not simply baseball, and so they actually care about it, and so they assist all people,” he said Friday at Assured Charge Discipline. “We had an off day and simply sort of went across the metropolis, took all of the boys. They had been actually excited at how good individuals are right here.”
Was Báez nonetheless acknowledged on the streets?
“Just a few (occasions),” he said. “You may’t conceal from that.”
It’s exhausting to consider, nonetheless nearly 12 years have handed since former Cubs fundamental supervisor Jim Hendry drafted Báez with the No. 9 select of the 2011 draft. In his remaining act as GM, Hendry signed Baez to a $2.7 million bonus. 4 days later, the Cubs launched Hendry had been fired three weeks earlier nonetheless they let him stick spherical to finish signing his final draft class.
It was a name the Cubs wouldn’t regret.
When Báez was referred to as up in summer time season 2014, the hype for the shortstop was in distinction to one thing Cubs followers had seen since Kerry Wooden’s debut in 1998.
“It’s utterly blown out of proportion,” pitcher Jake Arrieta said sooner than Baez’s debut at Coors Discipline. “He’s a very good participant. I’d just like to see him come up proper right here and let him play. The outside expectations are going to be elevated attributable to his standing, which the media doesn’t care about though it’s unfair to him.
“He’s going to place up good numbers. He’s going to be a great participant for us. Simply let him go on the market and let his skill shine. That’s crucial factor.”
Báez grew into one of many very important normal avid gamers in Cubs historic previous, and his ascent paralleled the crew’s rise to World Collection champions. It appeared as if the Cubs would extend him in spring teaching 2020, nonetheless talks chilled after the pandemic delayed the start of the season, lastly ensuing within the commerce to the New York Mets in 2021.
The Cubs had one different chance at re-signing him after that season, nonetheless Báez wound up signing a six-year, $140 million address the Tigers, who’ve been inside the midst of a rebuild. One 12 months later, the Cubs gave Dansby Swanson a seven-year, $177 million contract, making him the face of the franchise.
Some Cubs followers credit score rating Hoyer for not overpaying Báez, whereas others miss his presence and leisure price.
“With all due respect, I don’t care what individuals say about me or my numbers or my perspective or what I do,” Báez said. “I’m going to be myself, whether or not individuals prefer it or not.”
Sox followers nonetheless ponder Báez an enemy and boo him every time he steps to the plate. It’s one factor he doesn’t ideas and appeared to egg on.
“Sort of used to it now,” he said. “After I was with the Cubs throughout city, that battle was actually robust. The followers are going to do no matter they’re going to do. We’ll see the way it goes this weekend. We’re enjoying good baseball, and that’s our focus.”
After a 96-loss season in 2022, the Tigers started poorly as soon as extra, and Báez was hitting .100 on April 13 when he had a really harmful day. In a loss to the Toronto Blue Jays, he was sluggish getting out of the sphere whereas watching a ball he thought was a home run and wound up on second. One batter later he was doubled off on Akil Baddoo’s lineout when he forgot the number of outs.
Supervisor A.J. Hinch pulled his star out of the game, and Báez’s benching made headlines.
However then points modified. Over his subsequent 39 video video games moving into the weekend, Báez hit .252 with 26 RBIs. He nonetheless lacked vitality with solely three residence runs nonetheless was close to being the outdated Báez. The Tigers began to play larger after the incident and entered the weekend two video video games behind the division-leading Minnesota Twins.
Báez said he didn’t have a problem with Hinch pulling him.
“It wasn’t A.J.,” he said. “It was merely me and my head. The solely issue I can say about that was I felt like I was (nonetheless adjusting) with the (pitch) clock. My ideas wasn’t correct. I was far and large, and that day I switched each factor up.
“I referred to as time sooner than the first pitch because of I was struggling, not seeing the ball. Every thing was correct, my timing, (and) I hit the ball good. I assumed it was gone, took my time out of the sphere, then forgot my outs.
“Simply unhealthy for me. I don’t wish to make excuses, however I referred to as my household and informed them every little thing I used to be feeling. Then every little thing went away, to be sincere. I’m nonetheless making changes, working arduous, making an attempt to not swing on the slider down and away.”
Báez laughed. Some points don’t change.
He said he was not bitter on the Cubs for not extending him and nonetheless had warmth concepts regarding the group. He might even return to reside in Chicago after his career.
“We’ve got nice recollections right here,” he said. “We gained right here. I understand how particular it was for us at that second. It’s one thing that’s at all times going to be a part of me.”
He obtained’t get to return to Wrigley Discipline with the Tigers until 2024, nonetheless when he does he said will in all probability be like going residence as soon as extra. In a manner, he not at all left.
“I’ve received my Cubs tattoo from the World Collection,” Báez said. “That’s one thing that’s by no means going to be taken away from me, just like the ring. Clearly I’m making an attempt to win and making an attempt to win right here. I really feel wherever I’m at I’ve received my good vibes and it simply spreads round.”
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