The Detroit Tigers are taking a trip down memory lane this week as they face off against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field . It’s a special occasion for one player in particular: Javier Báez . This series marks Báez's first return to the Windy City since being traded away in 2021 , and the emotional reunion has been the talk of the town.
Báez, who was a fan favorite during his time with the Cubs, had a significant impact on Chicago’s 2016 World Series-winning team. In a recent chat with Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune , Báez reflected on his time with the Cubs, saying,
“That’s one of the things that no one will take from you. You’re always going to be a champion here.”
His sentiment echoes the feelings of many Cubs fans who still remember the high-flying days of their historic championship.
During the 2016 season, Báez was more than just a utility player—he was a versatile asset who could play almost any position on the field. He appeared in 142 regular-season games, batting .273 and driving in 59 runs.
In the postseason, Báez was a revelation, hitting .318 with 5 RBIs in the Cubs' six-game NLCS victory over the Dodgers . His performance earned him the MVP of the NLCS, although his World Series showing was less stellar, with 13 strikeouts in 30 plate appearances.
Fast forward to his stint with the Detroit Tigers, and the magic of Báez’s past seems to have eluded him. Since joining Detroit , Báez has struggled, hitting just .221 with an OPS+ of 71.
The Tigers are facing the challenge of revitalizing Báez’s performance to match his earlier successes. The team’s recent slide—61-65 after a promising 17-13 start in April—underscores the need for a turnaround. Detroit is currently 12 games behind the division-leading Cleveland Guardians , making the need for Báez to rediscover his form all the more urgent.
The Tigers do have a bright future ahead, thanks to a promising young core that includes Jace Jung, Trey Sweeney, Spencer Torkelson, Riley Greene, and Colt Keith. These players, all under 25, offer a glimmer of hope for the franchise. However, for the Tigers to make a significant push back into playoff contention, they will need Báez to recapture the form that made him a star in Chicago.
Báez’s contract with Detroit reflects the Tigers’ belief in his potential, given his impressive accolades with the Cubs—second in MVP voting in 2018, a Silver Slugger, and a Gold Glove winner in 2020.
His departure from the Cubs signified the end of an era, with the team parting ways with key members of their 2016 squad, including Anthony Rizzo and Kyle Schwarber. While the Yankees and Phillies have seen success from those players, Báez’s performance with the Tigers has been a point of concern.
As the Tigers and Cubs face off, all eyes will be on Báez to see if his return to Wrigley Field sparks a turnaround for him and the Tigers. For Detroit’s sake, they’re hoping for a little bit of that old magic to come back.
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