Tigers' Javier Báez still at center of team's ever-evolving lineup puzzle

DETROIT — Friday evening, A.J. Hinch found Javier Báez soft-tossing balls to his two children. Hinch wanted to communicate the upcoming plan for his most complex player.Báez at age 33 is still a fascinating baseball character — prone to scorching hot stretches and frigid slumps, an exuberant competitor who remains reserved behind the scenes. He is a decorated athlete who has started All-Star Games at three positions, and he is now the type of player who gets frequent check-ins regarding when and where he will be playing.Advertisement