Javier Báez will receive $ 11.6 million from the Cubs in his final year of eligibility for arbitration

Puerto Rican stellar torpedo player from the Chicago Cubs Javier Báez reached a one-year, $ 11,600,000 agreement to avoid an arbitration hearing, the third and final year of eligibility for this process as it will be free agent after the 2021 MLB season.

The pact means a $ 1.6 million increase after the 2020 deal of $ 10 million not to go to a hearing. Báez, 28, has reiterated his desire to remain in the franchise where he won the World Series in 2016 and has reportedly had talks for a contract extension, which have not paid off.

The 28-year-old from Bayonne, called “The Magician” for his fantasy executions in both the siore and intermediate, has just won his first Golden Glove in the National League. However, in the shortened season of 60 games in 2020 due to the impact of the pandemic had a drop in the offensive. The two-time All-Star Player batted for 203 with 8 homers and 24 RBIs in 59 challenges.

In 2019, he averaged 281 with 29 home runs and 85 RBIs in 138 games, a campaign shortened by a thumb injury. The previous year, he was a finalist for the Most Valuable Player award in the National League.

The Cubs are going through a rebuilding process after failing to qualify in the postseason in 2019 and losing the wildcard series in 2020 to the Miami Marlins. During this off-season, they sent star opener Yu Darvish and Puerto Rican receiver Victor Caratini to the San Diego Padres. In addition, gardener Kyle Schwarber, one of the heroes of the 2016 title, signed as a free agent with the Washington Nationals.

Chicago is headed by former receiver David Ross following the departure of mentor Joe Maddon. Similarly, executive Theo Epstein stepped down as chief operating officer after nine seasons.