Detroit Tigers' Javier Báez thinks stronger back, core muscles can help revive his career

LAKELAND, Fla. — Detroit Tigers shortstop Javier Báez worked on his swing and his defense throughout the offseason, but he also focused on strengthening his lower back and core muscles.

Báez is on the wrong side of 30 years old in baseball terms. Preparing for his age-31 season, he needed to strengthen those muscles to counterbalance the way he swings aggressively, though his swing doesn't look as violent after his offseason work.

Does that mean, as is so often heard in the first week of spring training, that he's in the best shape of his life?

"I'm trying to stay healthy for the whole year like I normally do," Báez said. "I worked with the team, not doing rehab, but working on my low back and my core, which I feel like I wasn't using the right way last year. It's been feeling pretty good."

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The two-time All-Star, a slugger in his past life, has struggled in his two seasons with the Tigers. Báez, who has $98 million remaining on his contract, is hoping to revive his career in 2024, his 11th year in the majors.

He hit .222 with nine home runs across 547 plate appearances last season.

"We want him at his best," Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said. "All these guys have things that they deal with, so we've paid attention to it. He's got to keep his flexibility. He's got to keep his bat speed up. He's got to keep himself in a good position. This game has taken a toll on him in terms of his body, so that was a point of emphasis."

Two seasons ago, after agreeing to a six-year, $140 million contract, the Tigers had visions of Báez anchoring the lineup for years to come. This year, he gets a $25 million paycheck. But the offense will be anchored by young hitters Spencer Torkelson, Riley Greene, Kerry Carpenter and Colt Keith. The Tigers believe Báez will provide above-average defense at shortstop, at the very least.

Nobody knows how he will perform at the plate.

"I'm feeling better in my low back and my core," Báez said. "It feels pretty good right now. I've been swinging. I've been seeing live pitches. It hasn't bothered me a lot, so hopefully, it stays that way."

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Báez spent most of his offseason in Puerto Rico, but he traveled to the Tigers' facility in Lakeland at least once per month for checkups with the doctor. The Tigers sent assistant athletic trainer Chris McDonald and assistant hitting coach Keith Beauregard to Puerto Rico for an offseason visit.

Báez stayed in contact with the Tigers this offseason, which wasn't the case last offseason.

He shared his opinion on the team in 2024.

"There is a lot of talent here," Báez said. "The way people describe us depends on how we play. We played good as a team last year. It didn't go well for me, but we played better than the year before. I think the experience is key for these young guys to make adjustments and get better every year."

In Puerto Rico, Báez stepped into the batter's box for live batting practice against pitchers during the offseason. Typically, Báez wouldn't face a real pitcher until spring training.

Cincinnati Reds right-handed reliever Fernando Cruz, a fellow Puerto Rican who racked up 98 strikeouts across 66 innings last season, challenged him with a difficult four-pitch mix: splitter, four-seam fastball, cutter and slider.

"I saw different pitches and felt good seeing the ball," Báez said.

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In the 2022-23 seasons, Báez hit .230 with 26 home runs over 280 games. His performance got worse from 2022 to 2023 because he wasn't on time for fastballs, which led him to hit just .177 against heaters in 2023 compared to .313 in 2022.

A less-violent version of his swing — without turning his back to the pitcher while loading up — could fix his timing issues, as could stronger back and core muscles.

Báez, a right-handed hitter, said he suffered from lower back discomfort in each of the past two seasons, both with the Tigers.

"I felt like I couldn't hit the ball to the right side," Báez said. "This offseason, I felt back to normal hitting the ball to second base and keeping my approach that way. Hopefully, I stay healthy and like that."

Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him @EvanPetzold.

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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Tigers SS Javier Báez thinks back work will bring back his bat