Javier Báez reaches an $ 11.6 million deal with the Chicago Cubs

The Puerto Rican star shortstop of the Chicago Cubs Javier Báez reached a one-year $ 11.6 million deal to avoid an arbitration hearing, the third and final year in which he was eligible for that trial, as he left after the MLB season 2021 will be a free agent. .

The deal marks a $ 1.6 million increase after the $ 10 million 2020 deal not to go to a hearing. 28-year-old Baez reiterated his desire to stay in the franchise where he won the World Series in 2016 and has reportedly been in talks about a contract extension, which have not paid off.

Nicknamed ‘El Mago’ for his fanciful performances in both the Siore and the intermediate, the 28-year-old from Bayamon has just won his first Gold Glove in the National League.. However, in the season that was shortened to 60 games in 2020 due to the impact of the pandemic, he had a slump on the attack. The two-time All-Star Player hit .203 with 8 home runs and 24 RBI’s in 59 challenges.

In 2019, he hit .281 with 29 home runs and 85 RBI’s in 138 games, a season that was cut short by a thumb injury. The year before, he was a finalist for the National League Most Valuable Player award.

The Cubs are going through a rebuilding process after failing to make it to the 2019 postseason and losing the 2020 wildcard series to the Miami Marlins. During this low season, they sent star starter Yu Darvish and recipient Victor Caratini to the San Diego Padres. Additionally, outfielder Kyle Schwarber, one of the 2016 title heroes, signed on as a freelancer with the Washington Nationals.

Chicago is run by former catcher David Ross after the departure of mentor Joe Maddon. Similarly, executive Theo Epstein stepped down from the position of president of operations after nine seasons.