In re Addy and Javy, I heard Ken Rosenthal this morning argue strenuously that it makes no sense to "take shortstop away" from Javy when Russel comes back, stating that, of course, being moved over to 2B would have to seem to Javy like a demotion or something.
Baez was asked several times, including after Addy started his suspension last year, whether he really prefers SS to 2B, and he said, basically, no, he likes 2B better. Playing 2B gives him more chances at being on the tagging end of catching runners stealing (which he enjoys), it gives him a more direct look at the batter to be able to track the ball off the bat, and doesn't require him to make long, accurate throws every single time he fields a grounder, which he said is more stressful than fun for him. It also seems to give him more chances to run into the outfield and make amazing over-the-shoulder catches, but I don't recall him mentioning that part.
So, from everything he's said in the past, Javier Baez would prefer to play second. When we get our excellent defensive SS back, why not let Javy play the position he's more comfortable with? I mean, yes, Javy is likely one of the best five shortstops in the game right now. But he can be one of the best second basemen, too. Why not let him play second, if he likes it better?
-Doug
