According to a tweet from The Detroit Free Press' Evan Petzold, the Detroit Tigers have reportedly agreed to terms with free agent shortstop Javier Baez. Per Petzold, it'll be a six-year, $140 million deal for the 28-year-old. Baez hit .265 with a .319 on-base percentage, 31 home runs, and 18 stolen bases in 547 plate appearances last season while registering a 116 wRC+. After trading for catcher Tucker Barnhart and signing starting pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez earlier this offseason, shortstop was the Tigers' most pressing need. They now have one in Baez, who should once again be a quality fantasy option next season. The veteran has hit at least 23 home runs and stolen at least 10 bases in each of his last four full seasons.

The Detroit Tigers have been in discussions with free-agent shortstop Javier Baez, according to sources. The Tigers are currently focused on Baez after previously talking with both Carlos Correa and Marcus Semien. Baez could be a fallback option for the Tigers if Correa's price tag is too rich for their taste. But one thing is clear: Detroit is looking for a high-profile shortstop as they try to go from rebuilding to contending in 2022. The soon-to-be 29-year-old Baez had an up-and-down year in 2021 with the Chicago Cubs and New York Mets, but he finished hot and was walking at a career-high rate to close the season in New York. Baez will remain a streaky hitter because he swings and misses often, but he had a pretty solid season with a .265/.319/.494 slash line and 31 homers when it was all said and done.

With free-agent shortstop Carlos Correa's price tag potentially too steep for the Detroit Tigers, they are "considering" Javier Baez and Marcus Semien for the position. The Tigers have multiple needs this year and won't spend $300 million on any one player like Correa. Detroit is transitioning from a rebuild to a team ready to contend, and they already signed left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez to a five-year deal and traded for catcher Tucker Barnhart. The free-agent market at shortstop is stacked this offseason, so the Tigers will have plenty of options on that front. Semien is coming off a career year in Toronto, while Baez finished the year strong with the New York Mets while showing more plate discipline. Either option would be a huge win for the Tigers as they look toward 2022 and beyond.

The Boston Red Sox are among many teams showing interest in free-agent middle infielder Javier Baez after he finished strong with the New York Mets in 2021. Xander Bogaerts is entrenched as Boston's starting shortstop, but his defense has been a weak spot. Bogaerts also has the option of opting out of his contract after the 2022 season. In that scenario, the BoSox could sign Baez to play second base next year before taking over for Bogaerts at the 6 in 2023 if he opts out. Despite a strong free-agent market for shortstops this winter, Baez is attractive plenty of interest, which makes it less likely that he'll return to the Mets. The 28-year-old has made it clear that he prefers to play shortstop. Baez finished with a .265/.319/.494 slash line with an .813 OPS, 31 home runs, 87 RBI, 18 stolen bases and 80 runs scored in 547 plate appearances over 138 games with the Mets and Chicago Cubs in 2021.

Free-agent infielder Javier Baez met with the New York Mets on Thursday. According to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com, Baez appears to be quite active in these early days of free agency. The 28-year-old should draw plenty of interest on the free-agent market after slashing .265/.319/.494 with 31 homers, 87 RBI, 80 runs, and 18 stolen bases over 546 plate appearances for the Mets/Cubs in 2021. Baez produced for fantasy managers last season and could be a top-10 option at shortstop for upcoming drafts regardless of where he signs.

New York Mets infielder Javier Baez started both games of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Miami Marlins, and he went 2-for-3 with a run scored in the first game and 1-for-3 with a walk and a run scored in the second game. Baez now has a 12-game hitting streak, and he's slashing .382/.461/.607 in 89 September at-bats. He's been extremely impactful for both the Mets and fantasy managers, and his 48 strikeouts in 135 at-bats with the Mets is a main reason for his strong line.

New York Mets shortstop/second baseman Javier Baez went 1-for-4 with a run scored in the Mets 6-3 loss to the Boston Red Sox on Tuesday. Bez has now hit safely in six straight games and he has reached base safely in 12 straight games. Over his last seven games, Bez is slashing .292/.433/.417 with one home run, three RBI, and three runs scored. After a slow start with the Mets, after coming to New York in a trade with the Chicago Cubs at the July trade deadline, Bez has been a tremendous addition to the Mets lineup. He is slashing .304/.377/.556 with nine home runs, 19 RBI, four stolen bases, and 28 runs scored in 38 games with the Mets. On the season, Bez has posted a .264/.317/.504 slash line with 31 HR, 84 RBI, and 17 steals. Bez remains a must-start through the remainder of the season in all fantasy formats.

New York Mets shortstop/second baseman Javier Baez went 2-for-2 with a solo home run, three walks, and two RBI in the Mets 7-6 loss to the Cardinals on Tuesday. Bez is absolutely on fire at the plate and has shown his value to the Mets since coming over from the Chicago Cubs at the trade deadline. In 33 games with the Mets, he has now posted a .310/.385/.603 slash line, with nine home runs, 18 RBI, seven doubles, four steals, and a 1.8 WAR. Boasting 31 HR and 83 RBI on the season, El Mago remains a must-start through the remainder of the season in all fantasy formats.

New York Mets shortstop/second baseman Javier Baez went 2-for-4 with a solo home run, three runs scored, an RBI, a walk, and a stolen base in the Mets 8-7 loss to the Yankees on Saturday. Bez, who is currently locked in at the plate, filled up the box score to the delight of his fantasy managers. He is now hitting .519/.581/.926 with three homers, seven RBI, and four steals over his last seven games. He is, potentially, a league-winning play in fantasy formats over the final three weeks of the 2021 campaign. "Thumbs-down-gate" which played out in the media a couple of weeks ago has apparently motivated Bez who is playing on another level right now. Bez should remain active in all formats through the end of the 2021 campaign.

New York Mets shortstop/second baseman Javier Baez went 3-for-4 with a double, two RBI, and a run scored in the Mets 10-3 win over the Yankees on Friday. Bez remains red-hot at the plate with a ridiculous .500/.556/.833 slash line to go with two home runs and six RBI over his last seven games (24 at-bats). After a slow start with the Mets, Bez has hit .291/.348/.563 with seven homers, seven doubles, and 15 RBI in 29 games with New York. Bez should remain active in all formats through the end of the 2021 campaign.

New York Mets shortstop/second baseman Javier Baez went 1-for-4 with a mammoth two-run home run in the Mets 9-4 win over the Washington Nationals on Sunday. It was Baez's second home run in three games. Baez now owns a .242/.286/.479 slash line with 26 home runs, 72 RBI, 13 stolen bases, and 57 runs scored in 108 games on the season. Since coming to the Mets in a deal at the July trade deadline, Baez has hit just .210/.258/.452 with four home runs and seven RBI over 62 at-bats. Although Baez will hurt ratios largely due to poor plate discipline, Baez should still help fantasy managers in the home run and RBI departments, especially if the Mets offense can kick it into gear in the final month of the season. Fantasy managers should keep Baez active in all but the most shallow of fantasy formats.

New York Mets shortstop/second baseman Javier Baez went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in the Mets 2-1 loss to the Washington Nationals on Friday. The home run, Baez's 25th of the season, accounted for the Mets lone run. On the season, Baez has slashed .244/.289/.478 with 25 home runs, 70 RBI, 13 stolen bases, and 56 runs scored in 106 games. Since coming to the Mets in a deal at the July trade deadline, Baez has underperformed when compared to his season totals and numbers with the Chicago Cubs. With the Mets, he has hit just .222/.276/.444 with three home runs and five RBI over 15 games. Though he will do some damage to ratios as a result of his horrible plate discipline which includes a 35.3% K rate, a 4.3% walk rate, and a 43.1 O-Swing% (the highest of his career), Baez can still help fantasy managers in the home run and RBI departments. Of course, should the Mets offense continue to struggle through the remainder of the season, even those counting stats could see a decline. Notwithstanding, fantasy managers should keep Baez active in all but the most shallow of fantasy formats.

New York Mets shortstop Javier Baez (back) was activated from the injured list on Sunday and went 2-for-4 with a double, two runs scored, an RBI, and was hit by a pitch in the Mets 7-2 win over the Dodgers. Baez's presence appeared to jump-start what has been a lackluster Mets offense over the past two weeks. Though Baez had not done much for the Mets in 10 games since coming over from the Chicago Cubs in a trade deadline deal at the end of July, his presence was certainly felt on Sunday. Hopefully, Baez can build off of this performance and continue to ignite the Mets offense. On the season, Baez has slashed .243/.289/.476 with 24 home runs, 69 RBI, 13 stolen bases, and 54 runs scored in 102 games. Fantasy managers should have Baez back in their lineups in all formats now that he has returned from his stint on the injured list.

New York Mets shortstop Javier Baez (back) was activated from the injured list on Sunday and is starting against the Dodgers, according to Justin Toscano of NorthJersey.com. Baez is getting the start at shortstop and is batting third in the lineup. To make room for Baez, the Mets optioned relief pitcher Geoff Hartlieb to Triple-A Syracuse. Baez landed on the injured list last Friday, after slashing .171/.216/.343 with two homers, three RBI and four runs scored over 10 games since being traded to the Mets. Managers can go ahead and slot him back into their lineups now, or keep him on the bench for a few games until he can heat up at the plate.

New York Mets shortstop Javier Baez (back) looks to be in line to return to the team without requiring a rehab assignment, and could return sometime during the team's upcoming series with the Giants, according to Tim Britton of The Athletic. Manager Luis Rojas said that while it's not official that he'll be able to return without a rehab assignment, but it appears to be trending in that direction at this point. Baez landed on the injured list with back spasms last week, with the move retroactive to August 12. He's had a nice bounce-back from a disappointing 2020 campaign, slashing .241/.285/.470 with 24 homers, 13 steals, 68 RBI and 52 runs scored over 101 games this year. Managers should keep an eye out for any updates over the weekend, but be prepared for his return early next week.

New York Mets shortstop Javier Baez (back) was placed on the 10-day injured list retroactive to August 12, the team announced on Friday. The 28-year-old infielder exited last Sunday's 3-0 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies with left hip tightness and was considered day-to-day throughout the week. Baez hasn't heated up yet for the Mets, but it's possible some rest could do him some good. In a corresponding move, infielder Travis Blankenhorn has been recalled from Triple-A. Blankenhorn will not be in Friday's lineup against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The New York Mets are feeling optimistic about shortstop Javier Baez (hip) after his early exit from Sunday's game, according to Tim Britton of The Athletic. Manager Luis Rojas said that the team is much more optimistic after the game than they were when Baez exited with left hip tightness, with Rojas adding they were originally worried the issue would be similar to the injury that has kept shortstop Francisco Lindor sidelined since mid-July. Baez is being considered day-to-day for now, and managers should expect him to likely be held out of Monday's contest but could return to the lineup on Tuesday.

Updating an earlier report, New York Mets shortstop Javier Baez (hip) exited Sunday's game due to left hip tightness, according to Tim Britton of The Athletic. Baez was seen grimacing in pain in the dugout in the fifth inning after he was unable to run out of the batter's box on a groundout to second base in his last plate appearance. Managers should consider Baez day-to-day with this injury, and check for further updates on his condition after the game.

New York Mets shortstop Javier Baez exited Sunday's game with an apparent injury, according to Justin Toscano of NorthJersey.com. On a groundout to second base in the top of the fifth, Baez did not run out of the batters box and was then seen grimacing in pain in the dugout afterwards. Jonathan Villar moved from third base to shortstop to replace Baez, while J.D. Davis entered the game at third base. Managers should keep an eye out for updates after the game, and for now consider Baez day-to-day.

When the New York Mets initially acquired shortstop Javier Baez from the Chicago Cubs, the belief was that once Francisco Lindor (oblique) returns, that Baez would play second base. However, it looks as though the Mets are seriously considering moving Baez to third base when Lindor is back. The main reason being the fact that they believe Jeff McNeil is better at the keystone than the hot corner. Baez has a lot of swing-and-miss to his game and won't help much with batting average or on-base percentage -- he struck out five times on Thursday -- but he has plenty of power (24 homers) and has gone deep twice in his first six games with New York. Along with his speed and upcoming third-base eligibility, Baez remains a must-own in all formats with his new squad.