Ednel Javier Báez (born December 1, 1992) is a Puerto Rican professional baseball shortstop for the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball. His nickname is “El Mago” (Spanish for “The Magician”) (MLB).
He formerly played for the Chicago Cubs and the New York Mets in Major League Baseball. Báez, who was born in Puerto Rico, went to high school in Jacksonville, Florida.
With the ninth overall pick in the 2011 MLB draft, the Cubs picked Báez. He debuted in Major League Baseball in 2014 and spent eight years with the Cubs until being sent to the Mets in 2021. He became a free agent after the 2021 season and signed a six-year agreement with the Tigers.
Baez was traded to the New York Mets on July 30, 2021, along with Trevor Williams and monetary considerations, for Pete Crow-Armstrong.
On July 31, he made his Mets debut against the Cincinnati Reds. He went 0 for 4, with his only hit a two-run home run. The Mets eventually won the game 5-4.
In November 2021, the Detroit Tigers signed Javier Baez to a six-year, $140 million contract, with $140 million guaranteed and an annual average salary of $23,333,333. Baez will be paid a base salary of $20,000,000 in 2022, as well as a total pay of $20,000,000.