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

Puerto Rican Chicago Cubs player Javier Báez has reached a $ 11.6 million one-year deal to avoid an arbitration hearing, the third and final year of eligibility for the lawsuit, as will be a free agent after the 2021 MLB season.

The agreement means an increase of $ 1.6 million after the 2020 agreement of $ 10 million to avoid going to a hearing. Baez, 28, reiterated his desire to remain in the franchise where he won the World Series in 2016 and allegedly held talks to extend his contract, which did not bear fruit.

The 28-year-old from Bayamon, nicknamed “El Mago” for his fantastic performances both in the region and in the middle, has just won his first gold glove in the National League. However, in the season shortened to 60 games in 2020 due to the impact of the pandemic, he had a drop in the offensive. The two-time All-Star managed .203 with 8 home runs and 24 RBIs in 59 challenges.

In 2019, he hit .281 with 29 home runs and 85 RBIs in 138 games, a season shortened by a thumb injury. A year earlier, he was a finalist for the National Most Valuable Player award.

The puppies are going through a reconstruction process after failing to make the postseason in 2019 and lost the 2020 wild card series to the Miami Marlins. During this off-season, they sent starting star Yu Darvish and receiver Victor Caratini to the San Diego Padres. In addition, outfield Kyle Schwarber, one of the heroes of the 2016 title, signed as a free agent with the Washington Nationals.

Chicago is led by former Capt. David Ross after the departure of mentor Joe Maddon. Similarly, executive Theo Epstein resigned as chairman of operations after nine seasons.