After MLB handed down punishments for last weekend's benches-clearing incident with the Reds, Cubs shortstop Javy Báez' message remains as clear as ever.
"Like I said, if someone disrespects my team or my teammates, we’re all going to go out there," Báez said following Tuesday night's walk-off Cubs win, echoing comments he made last Saturday.
Báez was fined — an undisclosed amount — for "his role in the on-field incident" Saturday in Cincinnati, MLB announced Tuesday. The shortstop hopped the dugout railing after Amir Garrett directed an animated strikeout celebration at Anthony Rizzo.
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As Báez was held back by Reds third baseman Mike Moustakas, both benches cleared.
While the league only fined Báez, Garrett was suspended seven games and fined an undisclosed amount Tuesday for "inciting a benches-clearing incident." He's appealing.
Garrett and Báez have history dating back to at least 2018, when benches cleared in a Cubs-Reds game after the Reds reliever struck out Báez and directed comments at him.
"I'm not just going to let him disrespect my teammates or my team," Báez said Saturday, adding Garrett has a "style."
MLB
"It doesn't matter who does it," he added. "If somebody else does it again, we will go out there again."
But even with that history, Báez would like to see MLB and umpires be more proactive in controlling games and tensions between teams better, he explained Tuesday. That way, these moments may not escalate into on-field skirmishes.
"If we hit a homer, if somebody’s showing up somebody — no matter which way — I think the umpire can jump in and argue with them instead of arguing [occurring] between the teams," Báez said.
But ultimately, he has no regrets for Saturday.
"It doesn’t matter how much they fine me, how many games they suspend me," he said. "We’re trying to protect our players and we’re trying to protect our team."