As the Chicago Cubs enter a critical offseason that could see the roster undergo significant changes, the front office is reportedly already started to discussing a contract extension with Javier Baez.
According to Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago already started discussing a long-term contract with its All-Star shortstop with the hope of finding their financial landscape for the team’s long-term future.
The 26-year-old is coming off another excellent season that saw him further demonstrate why he is considered to be one of the best shortstops in baseball. Baez posted a .281/.316/.531 slash line with 29 home runs and 11 stolen bases.
It would be wise for the Cubs to potentially work out a long-term deal this offseason rather than wait it out. If Baez returns to his 2018 form, when he finished second in NL MVP voting after hitting 34 home runs with a .290/.326/..554 slash line, it would further increase his potential asking price.
Baez is eligible for arbitration in each of the next two seasons before being set to hit free agency following the 2021 season.