May 8, 2025
Detroit Tigers third baseman/shortstop/outfielder
Javier Baez went 2-for-5 out of the ninth spot of the team's batting order on Wednesday night in Denver, picking up four RBI and scoring a run in the team's 8-6 extra-inning victory. Baez has re-emerged as a fantasy option this season, hitting .313 with three homers and a .364 wOBA in 29 games. He has become the team's regular center fielder over the past few weeks and has hit safely in each of his last eight games with an at-bat, going 14-for-33 (.424) with four doubles, three homers, and a .544 wOBA during that hot streak. After a few miserable seasons, this is quite the turnaround for Baez, who can be a nice boost to your fantasy team for the waiver wire while he stays so hot.
--Zach Thompson - RotoBallerSource: ESPN.com
May 3, 2025
Detroit Tigers infielder/outfielder
Javier Baez went 2-for-4 with a home run during their 9-1 victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Friday evening. Baez went deep in the ninth inning with a two-run shot that also scored
Jace Jung. This home run was off Los Angeles closer
Kenley Jansen. The 32-year-old has been swinging a hot bat over his last seven contests. During this stretch, Baez has posted an impressive .417/.400/.917 slash line with three doubles, three home runs, 10 RBI, and five runs. He also swiped one bag and held a 6:1 K:BB. Before this surge, Baez posted a .258/.300/.303 slash line with three doubles and no home runs. While Baez is enjoying an impressive run at the plate, his .288 xwOBA and 32.8 percent hard-hit rate suggest it may not be sustainable. However, he does have a favorable matchup on Saturday evening, facing Angels right-hander
Kyle Hendricks.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
April 21, 2025
Detroit Tigers shortstop
Javier Baez is making his first-ever start in center field and is batting seventh for Monday's series opener against the visiting San Diego Padres and right-hander
Randy Vasquez at Comerica Park. Baez gives the Tigers an extra option in the outfield with
Parker Meadows (shoulder) on the injured list, and outfielder
Kerry Carpenter (hamstring) is also out of Monday's lineup. However, there's no guarantee that the Puerto Rican product will gain outfield eligibility for fantasy managers. Given how poorly he's played since signing with the Tigers in 2022, Baez's .268/.305/.321 slash line through his first 17 games in 2025 is actually an improvement. But the 32-year-old veteran still has only a .627 OPS, no home runs, three doubles, four RBI and 14 strikeouts in 59 plate appearances as a utility man for Detroit in 2025. The two-time All-Star is no longer an everyday player.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
March 25, 2025
With injuries to Detroit Tigers outfielders
Austin Meadows (arm),
Matt Vierling (shoulder) and
Wenceel Perez (back), the team's plans at center field remain a question mark heading into Opening Day on Thursday against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Detroit recently signed veteran
Manuel Margot, but manager A.J. Hinch indicated the tam plans to use him mostly in a corner-outfield spot.
Riley Greene,
Ryan Kreidler and
Javier Baez are all options to see time in center field to begin the season. Baez started a spring training game in center on Saturday, but he has appeared in the outfield in the majors just four times in his 11-year career. The 32-year-old Puerto Rican infielder has tanked offensively since joining the Tigers in 2022, culminating in a poor .184/.221/.294 slash line with a .516 OPS, six homers, 37 RBI and eight steals in 80 games last year. Fantasy managers can continue to avoid Baez in mixed leagues.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com - Adrian Garro
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