Amid struggles in Detroit, Javier Baez sure seems to miss playing for the Cubs

Javier Baez is the everyday shortstop for the Detroit Tigers. Due to injury as well as poor plate discipline, Baez's time with the Tigers hasn't started out the way both parties likely imagined.

But have they been bad enough for Baez to wish he was somewhere else? Say...back with the Cubs?

Listening to Baez talk about the talent Detroit has (the Tigers are currently on a five-game win streak), it does appear that Baez is happy about his baseball home for the time being. 

With that said, who wouldn't opine for the "glory days"?

Baez came up with the Cubs. He won the World Series with the Cubs for Pete's sake. He helped break the curse.

Of course, Chicago has a special place in his heart, and on his first return back to the "Windy City" with the Tigers, the bombastic shortstop took some time to appreciate his old stomping grounds.

"Tell them I love them,” Baez said when asked about Cubs fans, per Bruce Levine of 670 The Score. “I feel the same way, as they always showed love to me. The Cub fans are incredible fans. Many other players come up to me and ask me how good are the fans in Chicago because they see them from the other side. It’s very special to be a Cub fan. This will always be home for me. I got a tattoo with the Cub logo (on my right arm). Winning for them is something nobody can take from you. It just was very special to be a part of the Cubs organization in the past.”

It's worth noting that Baez did have a chance to stay with Chicago. He was extended a contract offer in late 2019 and the two parties did have serious conversations.

According to Baez, though, the COVID-19 pandemic changed things.

"I know we were really close at one point,” Baez said. "But everything that happened around the world with the pandemic changed everything for everybody. I am happy and have no judgment about that. Everything happens for a reason. Who knows what would have happened if I would have stayed.”

Chicago ultimately dealt Baez to the New York Mets for a half-season before he signed a six-year, $140M deal with the Tigers this past free agency period.

As far as his current team, Detroit, is concerned, Baez does think the Tigers have what it takes to overcome an abysmal start to this season. Detroit has been plagued with injuries, especially to the starting pitching rotation, but even at 35-47, they do appear to be playing better as of late.

They're perhaps not World Series contenders, but Baez does think people will start taking notice of the young team.

"There is a lot of talent here (in Detroit). We struggled a lot in the beginning. Everyone will forget about that and see how good we are doing at the moment," Baez said.