LAKELAND, Fla. -- How did Javier Báez see his move to center field on Saturday?
¡°It's a long way,¡± B¨¢ez said with a smile.
He was kidding. But the way his afternoon went, B¨¢ez had a good excuse if he felt isolated in the Joker Marchant Stadium outfield.
For eight innings, B¨¢ez stood in center, looking for a chance to put his outfield instincts to work. This is the position he loved to play as a kid, long before he became El Mago.
¡°Honestly, I never ended my desire to play center,¡± B¨¢ez explained. ¡°I played center all my childhood when I was really young. I did play a little center field in '16 in winter ball and then Spring Training [with the Cubs], and then [they] signed Dexter Fowler to play center.¡±
But on Saturday, there was nothing for B¨¢ez to chase. Jack Flaherty held the Braves to three hits over six scoreless innings. B¨¢ez watched Kerry Carpenter make an over-the-shoulder catch in right field, then he backed up left fielder Justyn-Henry Malloy on a ball. Kenta Maeda followed Flaherty with a perfect inning.
¡°I saw Kenta come in and I was like, 'Oh, we're getting a fly ball right here,'¡± B¨¢ez said.
No fly ball.
¡°He wanted to stay in for another inning,¡± manager A.J. Hinch said. ¡°And then he got out to center field and he saw [sinkerballer Brenan] Hanifee coming in, and I think he would¡¯ve ran right in if he would¡¯ve been allowed.¡±
Said B¨¢ez: ¡°Hanifee came in and I was like, 'There's not going to be a fly ball here.'¡±
The only time B¨¢ez touched a ball in play was when a throw from the catcher sailed into the outfield.
¡°It was fine,¡± B¨¢ez said. ¡°I was working on positioning and pre-pitch. I feel good right now. They didn't hit balls out there, but I did play outfield in the scrimmage game here and I got a couple balls and a couple good reads.¡±
B¨¢ez¡¯s center-field debut followed a few games at third base over the past couple weeks. He has played as many games at third base as he has at shortstop since March 13. It¡¯s a change of role for a Gold Glove shortstop in 2020 and a mainstay at short for Detroit since signing as a free agent before the ¡®22 season.
So why does B¨¢ez do it?
¡°I've done it before, pretty much all my career,¡± B¨¢ez said.
B¨¢ez bounced around the infield on the 2016 World Series champion Cubs, split ¡®17 between shortstop and second, then was their primary second baseman in ¡®18 before becoming the full-time shortstop. When the Cubs traded him at the ¡®21 Deadline, he played second base for the Mets alongside All-Star shortstop Francisco Lindor.
For B¨¢ez, it¡¯s a chance to be an athlete.
¡°I just kinda focus on the different angles and work on my timing,¡± B¨¢ez said. ¡°At first when I moved from short to second, the angle was kinda hard, the ball coming off of the bat. But once you get used to both, I think you can play all over the field.¡±
It¡¯s also his best chance to play and help the 2025 Tigers. When right hip surgery ended B¨¢ez¡¯s ¡®24 season, Trey Sweeney took over at short and played a big role in Detroit¡¯s charge to the postseason. Sweeney has played all Spring Training at shortstop. Meanwhile, the Tigers have voids at third base and center field.
B¨¢ez was among many Tigers who had Sunday off, bypassing their Grapefruit League finale against the Phillies in Clearwater altogether. He¡¯s expected to get another appearance in center during the Tigers¡¯ two-game exhibition series against the Giants at Oracle Park.
How much B¨¢ez might play center once the season begins depends on the roster. With Parker Meadows out for at least another month, Wenceel P¨¦rez is Detroit¡¯s primary center fielder. Riley Greene can play center, but the Tigers -- knowing how much Greene runs and dives out there -- want to watch his wear and tear.
For a manager who values versatility, B¨¢ez -- if he¡¯s not an everyday shortstop -- gives in-game flexibility.
¡°We¡¯re not committed to anything other than: 'What if? What if the game leads us to that type of decision?'¡± Hinch said. ¡°Let¡¯s say Riley¡¯s DHing and Wenceel really needs a day off. With the way the roster is trending, we¡¯ll see, depending on how the last position player battle does.¡±
B¨¢ez is ready. Just give him a glove. No really. For now, he has Bligh Madris¡¯ outfield glove.
¡°I've been using [Matt] Vierling's, Parker's and this is the one that is more broken down,¡± B¨¢ez said. ¡°So I was like, 'Let me have that one. I'll order more and give you one.'¡±