MLB News: Tigers Bolster Batting Rotation By Signing Two-Time All-Star To Six-Year Deal

The Detroit Tigers landed a huge acquisition after reportedly signing two-time All-Star Javier Baez to a $140 million contract that will run for six years.

A source confirmed the transaction to the Associated Press on Tuesday, November 30.

However, the Baez deal has yet to be made official.

Last season, Baez split his time with the Chicago Cubs and New York Mets. He hit a .265 with 31 homers and 87 RBIs in 138 games.

Once it is made official, Baez is likely to return to the shortstop position after finishing last year at second base.

It was the same position he held last year in New York while playing alongside his good friend Francisco Lindor.

The shortstop position was a huge problem for the Tigers last season, who went 77-85 and finished third in the American League Central behind the Cleveland Guardians and Chicago White Sox.

The development is welcome news to the Tigers, who had been trying to rebuild around a young core that includes pitcher Casey Mize and slugger Spencer Torkelson.

Aside from Baez, the Tigers had already earlier acquired Tucker Barnhart and Eduardo Rodriguez.

Baez is a huge pickup and his talent has been obvious since making his big league debut in 2014.

He rose to become one of the MLB’s popular stars, establishing himself as an aggressive baserunning player.

However, it was in 2016 that Baez carved his niche. Playing his first full season in the majors, he helped the Cubs win its first World Series since 1908.

From there, things just fell into place with the Puerto Rican racking up accolades after accolades.

He has been named as an All-Star twice as well as winning the Silver Slugger Award in 2018 and the Golden Glove Award in 2020.

In 2018, he finished second to Christian Yelich of the Milwaukee Brewers NL MVP voting. That year, Baez batted .290 with 34 homers and 111 RBIs.