So far, it seems like the Detroit Tigers are enjoying having veteran slugger Javier Baez around.
Baez picked up a game-winning single in Friday afternoon’s Opening Day game against the Chicago White Sox and hit the go-ahead home run in yesterday’s game against the Boston Red Sox
In 15 at-bats, Baez is hitting .333 with one home run and three RBIs.
He also has posted a .908 OPS to start the new season.
Tigers third baseman Jeimer Candelario seems stoked about having Baez on his team in 2022.
Tigers’ insider Evan Petzold had a chance to talk to Candelario yesterday, where Candelario praised Baez for his early success with the team.
“He got $140 million for a reason,” Candelario said. “He’s been doing that his whole career-hit the ball hard and see what happens. That’s Javy.”
Jeimer Candelario on Javier Báez’s home run:
“He got $140 million for a reason. He’s been doing that his whole career — hit the ball hard and see what happens. That’s Javy.” #Tigers
— Evan Petzold (@EvanPetzold) April 12, 2022
El Mago’s Impact
Baez joined the Tigers this offseason prior to the lockout on a six-year, $140 million contract as referenced by Candelario, but El Mago appears to be pretty popular early on in his Tigers’ tenure.
Detroit now has a solid young team that consists of Akil Baddoo, Austin Meadows, Spencer Torkelson, and Casey Mize that is led by veterans such as Baez, Candelario, and former MVP Miguel Cabrera.
Baez is off to a good start with the Tigers and if he can continue to produce, then Detroit has a chance at competing for a Wild Card spot this season.
But this is some high praise from Candelario, and it goes to show the kind of impact Baez is already making on his new ballclub.
The Tigers are 2-2 to start the season after losing two out of three to the White Sox and winning yesterday against the Red Sox.
We’ll see if the addition of Baez ends up paying off by the end of the season.
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