Cubs: Javier Baez is happy in Chicago, would like to stay put

Chicago Cubs’ Javier Baez is ‘very happy in Chicago,’ but the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) has put a hold on things. When will they resume contract talks?

The Chicago Cubs‘ Javier Baez is happy in Chicago. The one thing is, when will they be able to talk about it? The coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) has shut things down for the time being. So they might be able to talk about before coronavirus ends–or when Theo Epstein allows it. He doesn’t usually allow contract talks, but Baez isn’t ordinary.

He’s a different type of player. He’s coming into his ‘prime years.’  Epstein and Jed Hoyer need to lock him up long-term. Baseball leagues have begun in Tawain and South Korea, although they were way ahead of the curve. The season will likely ‘begin’ spring training 2.0 in June, with the start of the season sometimes in July. But how many times have we heard that?

With Baez, he had until March 26 before the pandemic arrived. Before the shutdown, progress was being made.

“I’m very happy in Chicago. I believe it’s one of the best organizations in the major leagues,” Baez told ESPN. “We had several conversations but never focused on a deadline. They were very amicable conversations where we communicated well with each other.” h/t Katherine Acquavella, CBS Sports

Last season, he hit a slash line of .281/.316/.531 with 38 doubles, four triples, 29 home runs, 85 RBI in 138 games. Not bad for entering his age 27 season. And he was fighting the ‘injury bug’ during May and September. Still, not shabby numbers when you look at it.

Baez seems to be coming off a productive season and appears to have many more in store for him. If or when they continue talks after the season, you can be sure Epstein and Hoyer will give 100% at it. You can be assured of that.

The Cubs infielder–who was homegrown–was the ninth overall pick for the Cubs in the 2011 MLB Draft. He expressed interest in playing for one team his entire career.

“It’s a blessing when a player can wear the same uniform their whole life — but it’s a business. For me, it’s about loyalty. This is the team that has seen me grow up,” Baez told ESPN.