As Báez returns to Chicago, he sees something familiar in Tigers

CHICAGO -- As the Tigers’ manager, A.J. Hinch sees the work Javier Báez puts in behind the scenes. Báez has had a tough season at the plate, but it has not been for a lack of effort.

“He's [kept] a positive attitude,” Hinch said on Tuesday, before the Tigers’ 3-1 loss to the Cubs at Wrigley Field. “He has worked through a few things physically. He's still grinding through a few things that he's not 100 percent. He's had a tough go of it, but he hasn't let it demoralize him. … He's fully engaged, and I appreciate that.”

• Báez still a fan favorite at 2nd Little League Classic

Báez remains an important veteran presence on the Tigers who, despite his struggles, can still contribute to winning. Detroit also knows it must keep the short and long term in mind, and part of that entailed delivering some tough news to Báez.

“I'm hoping the work that he does translates to on the field because I get the benefit of seeing the care factor in him wanting to be a central part of what we're doing,” Hinch said. “I did meet with him last week and let him know that his playing time is going to get cut into, mostly after this series.”

Báez started at shortstop on Tuesday, in his first game playing at Wrigley Field since the Cubs traded him to the Mets at the 2021 Trade Deadline. Hinch recognized the meaning of this series to the 31-year-old, who received a video tribute and standing ovations throughout the game.

The final month-plus of the 2024 season also presents the Tigers an opportunity to see what they have within their nucleus of young players. Rookie Trey Sweeney had his contract selected from Triple-A Toledo on Friday. He is a potential option to serve as a complement to Báez at shortstop, in matchups against right-handed pitching.

Sweeney, whom the Tigers acquired on July 30 in the Jack Flaherty trade, hit .281 with an .854 OPS against right-handed pitching in Triple-A this season. Báez, who went 0-for-4 with four strikeouts on Tuesday, is slashing .182/.220/.294 with six home runs and 37 RBIs in 79 games this season.

“Obviously, these years haven’t been like I wanted to and like all the fans wanted it to be,” Báez said. “But I’m still fighting to work hard and to stay out there as long as I can.”

Hinch praised Báez’s professionalism and response to their conversation.

“He’s very professional about everything,” Hinch said. “He's always been very honest and accountable for himself. He understands where we're at as an organization. He sees these kids that he saw in [Spring Training]. He hadn’t seen Trey Sweeney, but he knows why we have to take some reps and find out what we have with some of our young players. And he knows that it's going to take a few away from him.

“He's been very good to me. He's been very good to everyone in this organization and he's going to continue to work to give us what he can.”

It doesn’t feel like that long ago when Báez was an up-and-coming player in the Major Leagues. He debuted with the Cubs on Aug. 5, 2014, when he was their top prospect and a key piece to Chicago’s plan to contend.

Ten years later, there is something similar to him with the Tigers.

“When I was over there, we had to grow up, the whole organization, and all the young guys came up together,” Báez said. “It’s a similar feeling here. Obviously, we’re doing it in Detroit, and then we’re still growing. But I think we can do really good with the young guys that we got here.”

Sweeney was one of six players aged 24 or younger in the Tigers’ lineup for the Little League Classic on Sunday. Joining him were Parker Meadows (24), Riley Greene (23) Colt Keith (23), Jace Jung (23) and Spencer Torkelson (24).

Báez on Tuesday recalled the lesson he got as a young player from then-teammate Anthony Rizzo. As Báez continues looking to contribute on the field, he also can continue to be an important figure in the clubhouse.

“He cares, and he really wants to win,” said Torkelson, who went 4-for-4 on Tuesday. “I think he's been a really good presence for myself, of just telling me sometimes it's gonna be all right, keep going, do this, do that. He's definitely taken on more of a leadership role, and it's so cool to have him on my team.”