Chicago Cubs: What a Javier Baez reunion might look like this offseason

Chicago Cubs: Javier Baez is watching his stock fall in a big way

What will be very interesting to see and potentially a deal breaker for the Mets and Baez long-term is how well he plays at home. Baez slashes .241/.292/.578 with eight home runs and 16 runs batted in in 89 career at-bats in Citi Field. It will be interesting to see how the rest of the season plays out for him in the Big Apple.

Should he walk at the end of the year, what bodes well for the Cubs if the front office would even be interested, is that there are so many short stops available this offseason. You have guys like Marcus Semien, Corey Seager, Trevor Story and Carlos Correa all available this year. Baez is currently having the worst year out of all of them and would more than likely not draw as much attention, at least right away, as other teams in need of a shortstop.

The tricky part is, the Cubs now have Nico Hoerner and Nick Madrigal at shortstop and second base moving forward. So, how does he even fit? For one, the common belief is that once a new CBA is reached between the MLB and the Players Association, the universal DH will be here to stay.

That’s your answer in how bringing Baez back now makes any sense. You could theoretically form a lineup of Hoerner, Madrigal, Baez and rotate who DH’s for the day. If a universal DH isn’t reached, yes, it would be hard to find room for Baez – unless we see Hoerner go back to the outfield.

Chicago Cubs: A team-friendly deal is looking more and more likely

Here’s the thing. With Baez off to a rough start, his chances of signing a huge deal with New York while there will be so many other All-Star-caliber shortstops available this winter are probably low. Cohen is the richest owner in baseball and after the Francisco Lindor deal, you saw he wasn’t afraid to show it either.

More from Cubbies Crib

• Cubs should keep close eye on non-tender candidate Cody Bellinger
• Cubs starting pitching has been thriving on the North Side
• Make no mistake: the Cubs are very much about power hitters
• Cubs are giving pitcher Javier Assad a deserved shot
• Cubs: It’s time to start thinking about potential September call-ups

Before the trade deadline, Baez wanted roughly $200 million to stay in a Cubs uniform. As I have stated in the past, if he were playing at peak 2018-2019 level, I am all for it.

However, given the numbers in 2020 and 2021, I am not so keen in such a high AAV. I’m doubtful that $200 million would be spread over a 10-year deal. It would most likely be closer to eight years, which works out to $25,000,000 a year.

I think we can all agree that that’s a little much if you’re not putting high-caliber numbers. No offense, we love El Mago, but he will need to come down on his price a little to return home.

I do hope the Cubs find a way to make it work. Maybe we can get a contract clause stating that he owes everybody in the stands an Italian beef sandwich every time he strikes out two or more times in a game.

Either way, hopefully Baez doesn’t get extended in New York so we have an opportunity to resign him. He will forever be a fan favorite. When Baez is on his game he really is one of the most exciting players in baseball. Nothing gets the Wrigley crowd roaring like a clutch Javier Baez moment. If the Cubs get the chance, bring him home.