LAKELAND, Fla. -- There were never any concrete trade rumors involving Akil Baddoo this winter, and no real indication that the Detroit Tigers had any interest in sending him to another club.
But the offseason acquisition of Mark Canha, combined with the Tigers’ surplus of left-handed hitting outfielders, made Baddoo a potential odd man out and thus a potential trade target.
But spring training has arrived and so has Baddoo -- early, in fact.
“I just control the things I can control,” he said Wednesday, five days before the official report date for position players. “Just focus on that and not worry about anything else going on on the outside.
“It’s definitely fun to be in my fourth year and still be in a Detroit Tigers uniform and to see us improving and making changes to turn this into a winning culture.”
Baddoo, who was acquired by the Tigers in the Rule 5 Draft before the 2021 season, is still only 25 years old. He has not been able to recapture the magic of his electric rookie season, but he has become a serviceable, speedy outfielder who sometimes provides glimpses of something more.
His defense in left field has gotten better over the last two seasons. After he struggled to hit for power in a miserable sophomore season in 2022, Baddoo slugged 11 home runs in 357 plate appearances in 2023.
Most projection systems are still bullish on his future. It’s why the Tigers didn’t hesitate in tendering him a $1.55 million contract for 2024, even though that’s a lot of money to pay a player in Triple-A.
Will Baddoo open the season in Triple-A? There’s certainly a path to a roster spot if the Tigers opt to prioritize Baddoo’s speed off the bench. But with the right-handed hitting Canha expected to play every day and left-handed hitting outfielders Riley Greene, Parker Meadows and Kerry Carpenter already on the roster, it may be all but impossible to find regular at-bats for Baddoo.
Baddoo spent the offseason shuttling between his home in the Atlanta area and a facility in Miami (the same one used by Tigers utility man Andy Ibanez). He also worked with Tigers bench coach George Lombard on some defensive drills.
“It’s amazing to have someone like that who cares about us to reach out and let us know, ‘Hey, if you guys want to get some work in, I’m all open to it. I’m here for you guys,’” Baddoo said of Lombard. “He wants the best for us and wants us to improve.”
Baddoo said his mindset this winter was, “Stay physical, stay explosive and stay athletic.”
If he does, he’ll make a strong case to head north to Detroit. Whether that actually happens, however, may be out of his control.
“From a mentality standpoint, I hope no one other than Ty Madden and Jackson Jobe are coming into camp expecting not to make the team,” said Tigers president Scott Harris, referring to the two young pitchers who were informed early in camp that they wouldn’t be starting the season in Detroit. “We tendered (Baddoo) because he’s really talented and he can help us on the bases, in the outfield and at the plate. He’s also really focused on making this team, so I’m excited to watch him compete right now.”