Latest benching proves Cubs dodged a bullet with Javy Baez

The Chicago Cubs offered Javy Baez a $168 million deal in 2020, per reports. Thankfully for them, he turned that money down and ended up elsewhere.

Javy Baez has been a downright disaster with the Detroit Tigers. Rather than sign the likes of Corey Seager, Carlos Correa or Marcus Semien for more money, the Tigers took what they hoped was the safe approach, inking Baez for a six-year, $140 million contract.

Instead, Baez’s contract has turned into the ultimate failure. Detroit has taken two rather large steps back from the 77-win team they were when Javy arrived. His baseball savant page is a travesty.

Baez’s contract is one of the worst in baseball, and the Tigers don’t have an out. Baez is very unlikely to use his, as he’ll make far less on the open market in 2023.

Javier Baez benched by Tigers

Baez was benched after he pimped a double, and forgot how many outs had been recorded that inning. His lackadaisical approach in all departments is surprising from a player who’s known for giving 110 percent whenever possible.

A.J. Hinch has seen enough. Detroit is 2-9 on this young season, and it’s close to getting out of hand. The Tigers may be unofficially out of the AL Central race by May.

Cubs dodged a bullet with Javy Baez

As great as Javy was for the 2016 Cubs and subsequent postseason teams, they’d be dealing with this same aging Baez contract had they signed him to the eight-year offered deal in 2020. Instead, Chicago is free of Javy, as well as the rest of the 2016 core.

The Cubs traded Baez to the Mets in a trade which landed them top prospect Pete Crow-Armstrong, who is primed to make the major leagues either this year or next. He’s a top-100 prospect, and a player Chicago developed into a potential All-Star talent, all thanks to trading away Baez at the right time.

It’s safe to say the Cubs made the right call.