The New York Mets went on a free agent spending spree recently but appear to be close to losing out on the chance to retain one of their star players. Shortstop Javier Baez is close to an agreement on a six-year deal with the Detroit Tigers, per Jon Morosi of MLB Network.
Javier Báez’s deal with the #Tigers, if completed, is expected to be for 6 years. @MLB @MLBNetwork
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) November 30, 2021
The deal with the Tigers isn't yet completed, but it sounds like Baez is close to leaving New York. And it could be quite the payday, as Mark Feinsand of MLB.com is reporting six years and $140 million.
The former Cubs star arrived with the Mets via a trade deadline deal last July. Baez was excellent for the Mets, slashing .299/.371/.515 with 32 runs scored, nine homers, 22 RBI, and five stolen bases in 47 games for New York.
Baez would be a great addition to the Tigers, as Detroit struggled to get much production out of the shortstop position, as they registered the second-worst wRC+ mark in the MLB.
As such, the Tigers were believed to be in the market for star shortstop Carlos Correa, who has ties to Detroit manager A.J. Hinch from their time together with the Houston Astros, though it appears the club will go in a different direction in their potential deal with Baez.
The Mets, already set at shortstop with star Francisco Lindor, will likely ask the versatile Jeff McNeil to man second base with the newly-signed Eduardo Escobar shifting to third base, in the event that Javier Baez leaves for Detroit.
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