Javier Báez returns to Wrigley Field with Tigers, thinks 'every day' about 2016 Cubs

CHICAGO — The Chicago Cubs played a three-minute tribute video to honor Javier Báez, a struggling Detroit Tigers shortstop, on the video board in left-center field at Wrigley Field before Tuesday's game, showcasing all of his best moments from his best years.

Báez used to be a star with the Cubs, before the franchise traded him at the 2021 deadline

He went 0-for-4 with four strikeouts in his first game at Wrigley Field since the trade. The bad performance overshadowed an otherwise beautiful return, highlighted by multiple standing ovations.

"I always want to be out there playing, but the biggest thing is to stay healthy," said Báez, activated from the injured list in early July following a one-month absence with lumbar spine inflammation. "These years haven't been like I wanted and like all my fans wanted, but I'm still fighting to work hard and stay out there as long as I can."

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Báez played for the Cubs from 2014-21 after being drafted by the Cubs with the No. 9 overall pick in 2011. As for personal accolades, his time in Chicago included All-Star selections in 2018 and 2019, a Silver Slugger in 2018, a Gold Glove in 2020 and a second-place finish in National League MVP voting in 2018.

In 2024, however, Báez is hitting .182 with six home runs, 12 walks and 69 strikeouts across 79 games throughout his 11th MLB season. The 31-year-old has a .220 batting average and a .609 OPS since signing a six-year, $140 million contract with the Tigers in December 2021.

He struck out swinging — chasing a down-and-away slider — to end Tuesday's game, a 3-1 loss for the Tigers.

"A lot of people don't see it, but he cares, and he really wants to win, and he does care about his role on this team," said first baseman Spencer Torkelson, who went 4-for-4 in Tuesday's game. "He's been a really good presence for myself, telling me sometimes it's going to be all right, keep going, do this, do that. He's definitely taken on more of a leadership role. It's cool to have him on my team."

The Tigers will cut Báez's playing time moving forward.

Trey Sweeney, a 24-year-old shortstop prospect whom the Tigers acquired July 30 in the Jack Flaherty trade, will take away from Báez's everyday opportunities, likely serving as the primary shortstop against right-handed pitching.

"He's very professional about everything," manager A.J. 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."

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Báez, a 2016 World Series champion, talked to more than a dozen reporters before Tuesday's game about his return to Wrigley Field, his successful career with the Cubs and his struggles in three seasons with the Tigers, especially in 2024.

What's your first thought coming back home?

"Family. To be honest, family. It's always special to be here. One of my kids was born here, so I can call it home. I grew up with this organization. Everything started from Arizona, being over there 11 years with this organization in spring training. It feels great. I went around the city and walked around."

Is there a part of you thatwanted to be back here?

"I just want to be good. I want to stay healthy the whole year and play like I played in the past. I've been in Chicago on the other side with the White Sox, and they don't like me quite like here, but it's always good to be back in the city and to feel this vibe."

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Does it feel like your baseball life has flown by?

"I feel young in life and old in baseball. It feels very good. When I was over there, we had to grow up. The whole organization, and a lot of young guys, came up together, so it's a similar feeling here. We're doing it in Detroit, and we're still growing, but I think we can do really good with the young guys that we got here."

Any favorite memories from your time at Wrigley Field?

"There's many. I always go to the walk-off home run on Mother's Day (in 2016). You get here, and I've done so many things here, just looking at the scoreboard in center field and being in it, the views are really, really special. There's many plays and many hits that are really special for me in this ballpark."

Do you ever think about how it would have gone had you stayed with the Cubs?

"No, not really. I think everything happens for a reason. They have a whole different team, and they were kind of building stuff, too. I don't know how it would have been, but obviously, the body was always going to be the same."

Is it true what they say about a championship team, there's always a bond?

"For sure. That's one of the things that no one will take from you. You're always going to be a champion here. Obviously, when I catch up with my teammates around the league over the years, it's great to see them and talk to them."

Do you feel the best is still ahead of you?

"Yes. I'm not doing it right now, but I'm not turning to next year, either, but I know what I can do. I'm trying to stay healthy and play the whole year being healthy. I don't want to make excuses about my body and stuff. I know I can hit. I know I can run. I know I can play defense. Hopefully, it gets better by the end of the year. Hopefully, next year is a really good one for me."

Are you surprised what's happened to teammates Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo (also traded at the 2021 deadline) with the injuries since joining new teams?

"That's a really tough question. I feel like, as a young guy, being on the other side, we had the pressure of our teammates to be really good and to be there for them at any time, especially Rizzo. He pushed me to all my limits. It doesn't matter how many years he had in the big leagues, or that I was a first-rounder and all this stuff. I was really focused for them. At this time, it's my time to push all these young guys and make them follow me and know all of the stuff that I know."

In 2016, when you stormed into the playoffs (and won the World Series), it seemed like you were so confident that you could do anything. Are you still in touch with that Javy?

"Not really. I'm different every day, playing-wise. I can be really hot and focused at the plate, and then in the next at-bat or next game, I can be all over the place. That's something I keep focused on, on being the same guy, playing-wise. I'm the same guy every day, but playing-wise, I got to focus more on my timing and my zone and making the pitchers throw more strikes than normally, but it's hard to do with all these pitchers throwing hard and throwing 100 (mph). I think it's up to me to really feel confident and trust at the plate, and let it happen."

Are you going through it with confidence or emotions?

"Not really. It hurts, obviously, that I'm not getting my results in baseball, but that doesn't take from me working hard coming every day to try to get better."

How do you hope people remember your time in a Cubs uniform?

"Especially my teammates, they know it's going to be a special moment. The kids that follow me, there's a lot of fans that, I don't want to say they hate me, but because of my numbers right now, they're really tough, but to see the kids follow me, it doesn't matter how I'm doing or what I'm doing, it's just special for me."

What do Cubs fans mean to you?

"I play for the fans. That's one of the reasons why I always try to be out there, because I know there's really good fans. I grew up in this organization and on this field. The vibe is always pretty good. The fans, it doesn't matter what day or what time the game is, it's always going to be packed with fans supporting our team — their team — and like I said, when I was here, even when were a losing team, the field was always still packed with really good support from the fans."

How often do you think about 2016?

"Probably every day, to be honest. I got a tattoo of the (World Series) trophy, so that's always going to be special. I still got the ring. I always try to take it everywhere so nobody steals it. It's always there, and it's always on my mind. Remembering that year, how we played, we weren't afraid of anyone. It was like asking them to score runs because we knew we were going to score runs. That's the feeling that we need to have here (with the Tigers), and I think we got the talent to do it."

Was that the most fun you've had playing baseball?

"Yeah. In 2018 and 2019, I had really good seasons, too. They were special to me. But having the respect and the support and that little pressure from your teammates, it's always good. It makes you better. I always looked up to Rizzo. Playing short and making throws, he was making sure that I would throw high to his chest. I always had that pressure to be good for him and for the whole team."

Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him @EvanPetzold.

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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Tigers' Javier Báez feels 'young in life and old in baseball'