A trade for Chicago Cubs to acquire familiar face at shortstop

If Cubs fans think they hate Jed Hoyer now, just wait until this trade is done with. Just a year-plus after leaving Chicago, could a Javy Baez reunion make sense?

Is it likely that the Cubs bring Javy Baez back to the north side of Chicago? No, not right now.

But as we enter the depths of offseason despair, Chicago has yet to make its major move at the shortstop position. Hoyer and Co. were linked to Carlos Correa and now Dansby Swanson. The latter remains unsigned, but has plenty of teams fighting over his services.

Swanson could easily return to Atlanta, or sign with the Twins, who just lost Correa, among other suitors. If Chicago fails to sign Dansby, expect them to get desperate for a major acquisition.

Could that come in the form of Baez?

Would the Tigers trade Javy Baez?

Detroit signed Javy Baez to a six-year, $140 million contract just last offseason. In most cases, a trade would be uncommon, even after Baez’s disappointing season.

But, this isn’t most cases. Baez signed under a different regime in the Motor City. Al Avila is no longer general manager, and Scott Harris has a different way of doing things. Trading Baez would clear payroll for the Tigers and give Harris a fresh start to create this team in his own image. If an out were available, Detroit would be crazy not to consider it.

Should the Cubs trade for Javy Baez?

Cubs fans and most anyone with a brain would prefer Dansby Swanson over Javy Baez, especially after last season. However, if Swanson signs elsewhere, then perhaps a return home on the cheap could do Baez some good.

Baez had the lowest OPS since his rookie year at .671. Javy often feeds off the energy of the crowd, and while that’s true for most players, Baez is a player that improves when he taps into that emotion. As Bleed Cubbie Blue points out in its assessment of a Baez trade, Javy looked different in Chicago for a reason. David Ross even commented on the issue in 2020:

"“I would say him as much as anybody,” Cubs manager David Ross said of the impact. “He is one of the most exciting players in the game, and it feels like he feeds off the energy of the fans and people and the moment. He seems to rise to the occasion, whether it’s a crazy slide or a big hit or a nice tag or the way he runs the bases – he can create havoc.“I think the fans bring a lot of that to him. And that could be something that is affecting his game.”"

Swanson would also cost more than Baez, and Javy has an opt-out in 2024 (though it’s a player option). Baez is likely the better deal long-term, as both carry significant question marks at the position beyond 2023.

With a deal in mind, here’s what a trade between the two sides could look like. Acquiring Baez will never be cheaper:

In this scenario, the Cubs would be taking on some of Baez’s contract, so the return on the Tigers end is relatively light. If anything, Chicago might be giving up too much here.

Made is a shortstop prospect ranked No. 17 in Chicago’s system. They have two shortstops ranked above him, and he’s just 20 years old. Jensen is 25 years old, and has yet to translate well to the MLB level. Chicago still believes in him, but a change of scenery could do him some good.

This is a dark, dark trade that frankly neither team will want to take on at the moment. However, it’s what Baez’s value is at the moment. Detroit could acquire two top-30 prospects in Chicago’s system, both of which have decent upside. Harris has an opportunity to rebuild his own way.