Chicago Cubs: Five realistic trade scenarios for Javier Baez

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If the Cubs intend on trading from the core, Javy Baez could be a magical trade chip.

In their reported willingness to unload any of the players who have helped make this one of the most successful runs of Chicago Cubs baseball any of us can remember, newly-promoted Jed Hoyer could probably get the most for catcher Willson Contreras or maybe even outfielder Ian Happ. With two years of team control on Contreras and three for Happ, the years remaining at a reasonable price and in each player’s prime represent prime value for those assets.

Amongst the guys with just one year remaining, however, you’ve got to think the most valuable asset and shiniest trade chip is none other than Javier Baez. A newly minted Gold Glove winner, Baez has something that even teammate Anthony Rizzo can’t hold a candle to despite his own Gold (and Platinum) Gloves: the ability to work his magic in the middle infield.

Baez has the ability to make a difference with his glove and arm regardless of what he is doing with a bat. And, granted, he didn’t do a lot with the bat in bizarro 2020. However, in 2018 and 2019, he was among the best all-around players in all of baseball and playing a premium defensive position.

If teams come a knocking for the core guys, there’s a good chance many will kick the tires on what kind of return the Cubs would want for Baez given his defensive wizardry and probable offensive bounceback in 2021. So, which teams would and could make a serious play for the 27-year-old star shorstop?

Chicago Cubs: This would be rough to see as a Cubs fan

As if watching Gleyber Torres mash for the Yankees hasn’t been hard enough, there’s more than a slight chance the Yanks could make a play for Baez since there’s a huge hole defensively at short that Torres just isn’t able to fill. Moving Torres back to a better fit at second base not only makes sense – it’s almost a must if the Yankees expect to do well in 2021.

While the Yankees need pitching and might need to use some propsect capital in order to procure some arms, Baez would be high on their list as well. And boy would he seem like the kind of guy to relish the bright lights and pressure playing in New York affords all its players. Some guys just don’t do well with that kind of thing, but Baez seems like he was made for the Big Apple. Not that I want him in a Yankees jersey at all, but man this seems like a begrudgingly good fit.

While Baez would assuredly bring tremendous defense to the infield in The House that Ruth Built (Take 2), he would also go a long way in replacing the impact bat the Yankees are losing in DJ LeMahieu. Assuming they don’t re-sign Lemahieu, the Yankees would be getting less average in Baez, but more power and more star power.

The Bronx Bombers don’t have the same kind of farm they once did, but they have plenty of pieces to swing this deal – maybe a Martian for a Mago? No, but seriously, while Jasson Dominguez will be off-limits, the Yankees have a plethora of options on the farm and some who have even hit the big already.

Chicago Cubs: Who but Baez at short for the Phils?

While it’s true the Cubs have disappointed many of their faithful the past few years with early flame outs in the postseason, they at least got there. The Phillies haven’t even made the playoffs since Charlie Manuel was their manager.

For those of you keeping track at home, that was 2011 – and there’s pretty much hype surrounding the Phillies and their offseason and young players every single year. Trading for Baez to replace the one-year guy in Didi Gregorious would certainly make a splash for the Fightins, and it would be a perfect fit at the bandbox known as Citizen’s Bank Park.

It would just be one year of course, but the Phils have the money to extend a guy like Baez if they feel he’s a good fit at some point during 2021. Heck, they could even make a play to include Bryant if they want to reunite the Las Vegas friends in the City of Brotherly Love.

What the Phils would offer for one year of Baez is the only question mark. The Phillies have two young shortstops who could be targets to eventually replace what the Cubs would be losing at shortstop in Bryson Stott and Luis Garcia. If the Phils bring back JT Realmuto, they might also be willing to include catcher Rafael Marchan in a deal for Baez. That might in turn make Contreras or Victor Caratini expendable in trade, but we’re getting ahead of ourselves now.

(Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images) /

Chicago Cubs: The champs are looking to repeat in ’21

If the Dodgers have been connected and rumored to be interested in acquiring the services of one Francisco Lindor, wouldn’t it then make sense that they’d also be in the Baez market as well? I mean, if things don’t work out with the Indians and Lindor, Baez would certainly be a sweet fallback option. Plus, Baez will make about eight million dollars less than Lindor next year. Not that the Dodgers would normally care about money, but in this Covid environment, that play might even be more intriguing to them.

Baez would give the Dodgers yet another presence in their lineup, and a super talented defender. Most of their lineup looks like the 2016 Cubs in that they work at bats and get on base at a high clip, meaning Baez would be a great hammer in the middle of more selective bats. Gee, that sounds sorta familiar when the Cubs are doing what we expect them to.

Moving to another big city and the bright lights of Hollywood wouldn’t bother Baez one bit, and the Dodgers would love to bring in a star to replace Justin Turner’s bat in the lineup. A trade for El Mago would be the proverbial gauntlet thrown at the rest of the National League, as the best would get noticeably better defensively and probably not miss much of a beat on offense either.

Oh, and the Dodgers have one of the best farm systems in the game, ranked third by MLB Pipeline, so they definitely have the pieces to pique the Cubs interest in making a deal.

Chicago Cubs: This would be a big splash for the new GM

If I were handed the reins as big league GM, I’d make sure to have several things in order. I’d want a manageable payroll I can work with and good people in coaching the players in my organization. After that, I’d want a solid farm, good pitching and up the middle players. Adding a little flash and hype in my first year… well, that wouldn’t be so bad if it was a productive move as well.

Enter Kim Ng, who now makes decisions on players and happenings for Derek Jeter and the Marlins. Fresh off their postseason experience this past fall, the Marlins adding Baez would signal to the league that they’re for real and bolster expectations for 2021 to new heights. The Marlins have a couple options at shortstop even without acquiring Baez, including prospect Jazz Chisholm and veteran Miguel Rojas, but neither are Baez.

Chisholm, who some believe to be the heir apparent at short for the Marlins, could be featured in the deal if the Fish plan on extending Baez at some point. They also could go with left-handed outfielder J.J. Bleday if they still see Chisholm in their plans going forward. With plenty of high ceiling and risky prospects, Ng may decide there are some guys she is more than willing to part with for a guy like Baez.

Chicago Cubs: Joe certainly loves him some Javy

Maybe the Angels manager implores new GM Perry Minasian to make a play for two of his favorite youngsters in his time as manager of the Chicago Cubs. Maybe they can’t swing the prospect deal for both Contreras and Baez and have to settle for Baez. Either way, there is no doubt the Angels skipper would love a reunion with Baez in Los Angeles in 2021.

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Baez would give the Angels a seamless transition of defensive wizardry fans have expected and seen over the past five seasons with Andrelton Simmons manning shortstop there. With his departure through free agency, the Angels have a major hole at shortstop and does anyone really think they’re gonna just hand Luis Rengifo the job if they expect to compete in 2021?

Baez would give the Halos not only defense they’ve come to expect in the middle of the diamond, but also another presence in a lineup that could feature Mike Trout, Anthony Rendon, Shohei Ohtani, Jo Adell, and of course, the dwindling shadow of legend Albert Pujols. Seems like something anyone would be interested in. Granted, Baez would only give them a year of stability there, but if all went well, they would no doubt want to extend him before he hits the open market.

If the Angels plan is to lock Baez up upon acquiring him, they could offer one of their young middle infielders in the minors, Jeremiah Jackson or Kyren Paris. If the Cubs are good with Nico Hoerner at shortstop in the near future, perhaps they ask for a package including a pitcher like Reid Detmers or Chris Rodriguez. They also could go the “athletic” route and go after outfielder Jordyn Adams, since he’d give them something they’ve been sorely lacking for a long time. The Angels don’t have a deep system, but perhaps a combination of prospects could get a deal done for Baez if they’re interested.

dark. Next. Retool or rebuild for Cubs?

While the thought of Baez being traded is yet another depressing idea in the midst of many in 2020, maybe he leaves for a year and then comes back as a free agent? Stranger things have happened and maybe a one year reboot stocks the farm system for the next Cubs run.

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