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

After the trade deadline, there was optimism the Chicago Cubs could at least try to re-sign their core in the offseason in some way. At least one or two of them. Maybe? Then, Anthony Rizzo and Jed Hoyer had an exchange that seemed likely to sour any notions of him coming back. Kris Bryant is happy in the Bay Area contending for another World Series. How about Javier Baez?

Of course, Baez was traded with Trevor Williams for Mets prospect Pete Crow-Armstrong. At the time, I believe the anxiety-ridden phrase I blurted out was “Pete Crow-who-what?!” Well, upon digging deeper, I actually love Crow-Armstrong’s upside. He is currently the Cubs’ #5 overall prospect at this point in time after the midseason updated prospect rankings were announced last week, so that’s actually fantastic if you consider that Baez more than likely was gone after this season… or is he?

Hopefully, this was all an evil ploy and Baez and Hoyer knew all along they’d secure a top prospect and Baez would return, inking his deal and spending the rest of his days as a Cub. Is it completely out of the realm of possibility Chicago looks to re-sign Baez at this point? After looking at his numbers, I’m not so sure the Mets want to indulge in an extension even if it is to play alongside longtime friend, Francisco Lindor.

Baez is currently slashing a mere .205/.262/.410 in an 11-game span. He recently landed on the 10-day IL with back spasms but was activated just on August 22. In his first game back, he managed to go 2-for-4 with a pair of doubles. So hopefully he cools off before Steve Cohen, the Mets owner, gets any bright ideas.

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.