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Javier Baez Has Chance At First 100-RBI Season Since 2018 Next Season
3 years agoNew Detroit Tigers shortstop Javier Baez enjoyed a quality season during the 2021 campaign. Dealt by the Chicago Cubs to the New York Mets at the trade deadline in a deal with pitcher Trevor Williams for prospect Pete Crow-Armstrong, Baez hit .265 with a .319 on-base percentage, 31 home runs, and 18 stolen bases in 547 plate appearances split between the two clubs. The infielder also collected 82 RBI, though just 22 of those came with the Mets. He has a chance to post his first 100-RBI season since the 2018 season hitting near the top of what should be a much-improved Tigers lineup that will also feature Jeimer Candelario, Robbie Grossman, Akil Baddoo, Eric Haase, and eventually Spencer Torkelson and Riley Greene. A move to Comerica Park shouldn't hurt Baez too much from a power standpoint either. In the last three seasons, the veteran has hit a combined 68 home runs. His expected home runs at Comerica Park during that span would've been 58. Another year with at least 23 home runs and at least 10 stolen bases, something Baez has done in his last four full seasons, seems all but a certainty at this point. Baez's ADP per NFBC is at 67 right now. Hitting near the top of a quality lineup, the veteran could easily outperform that draft position.
