The Cubs haven’t yet begun talks with second baseman Javier Baez or right-hander Kyle Hendricks about potential contract extensions, the two players told Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times. Both said that they “would love to stay” with the team over the long term, and would welcome such negotiations if they took place.
Both Baez and Hendricks avoided arbitration with the Cubs this winter, agreeing to respective salaries of $5.2MM and $7.405MM for the 2019 season. Baez was arb-eligible for the first of three times this winter and isn’t eligible for free agency until after the 2021 campaign, while Hendricks was in his second arbitration year and can become a free agent after the 2020 season.
It is still early in spring camp, and the Cubs could yet begin talks with Baez, Hendricks, or any number of players over the coming weeks. Still, Baez and Hendricks stand out as perhaps the two most obvious extension candidates on the roster, even beyond the notable players who could be free agents after the 2019 season. Of that group, the Cubs control Anthony Rizzo and Jose Quintana via club options for 2020, while the team probably isn’t likely to explore extending veterans like Cole Hamels or Ben Zobrist until later in the year or even after the season, to guard against declines from either veteran (Hamels is 35, Zobrist is 37).
Baez broke out as one of the game’s best all-around players last season, hitting .290/.326/.554 with 34 homers and a league-high 111 RBI over 645 plate appearances. Baez augmented his first above-average run producing (131 wRC+) season with solid overall baserunning that included 21 steals, as well as his typically strong glovework at multiple infield positions (699 2/3 innings at second base, 462 2/3 IP at shortstop, 142 2/3 IP at third base). Among all position players, Baez ranked 10th in bWAR (6.3) and 14th in fWAR (5.3) last season.
With Kris Bryant indicating a willingness to go year-to-year until he reaches free agency after 2021, Baez stands out as the Cubs’ top young building block. Among other recent young infielders to sign extensions, Eugenio Suarez’s seven-year, $66MM deal with the Reds and Jean Segura’s five-year, $70MM extension with the Mariners could be potential comps, even if neither quite fit Baez’s situation. For instance, Suarez was locking in his first big professional payday as something of a surprise breakout performer, whereas Baez was a hyped prospect for years before reaching the big leagues. Segura was also over a year older at the time of his extension than Baez is now, and had only one arbitration year remaining.
Hendricks, meanwhile, has been a solid and usually durable member of Chicago’s rotation for four seasons. Something of a throwback pitcher with a sub-90mph fastball, Hendricks has relied on soft-to-medium contact rather than big strikeouts (career 7.62 K/9) to good effect in his career, posting a 3.14 ERA over the 708 2/3 innings since 2015. The 29-year-old’s best season came in the Cubs’ World Series campaign of 2016, when Hendricks posted a league-best 2.13 ERA.
Hendricks’ arsenal might help him project better as a long-term investment for the Cubs or potential future free agent suitors, as it isn’t like he is a hard-tossing strikeout artist who could be more apt to decline with a loss in velocity. What could harm Hendricks’ chances at an extension, however, is that Chicago made such a huge investment in its starting staff, and gotten next to nothing in return from Yu Darvish and Tyler Chatwood. Beyond 2020, however, Hamels, Chatwood, Quintana, and potentially Jon Lester (depending on a vesting option) will no longer be on the books, leaving the Cubs in search of arms. Prospects like Adbert Alzolay, Alec Mills, or Justin Steele could be contributing by that point, of course, though the Cubs might also want to have another solid veteran on hand to augment that bunch. (Also, the Cubs have had enough difficulty in developing pitchers in recent years that relying on prospects doesn’t seem sound.)
Of course, as Wittenmyer notes, discussions about extensions also need to factor in whether a player could be more apt to sign an extension rather than test an increasingly hostile free agent market. “You have to look at what’s going on around the league, for sure. You have to educate yourself on things that have happened in the past and what the market looks like now, then make the best decision possible,” Hendricks said. The threat of a potential work stoppage could impact Baez the most directly, as the current Collective Bargaining Agreement expires on December 1, 2021 — roughly a month after Baez is eligible to hit free agency.
Why did you even write this???? haha
When you are writing articles that are this did not happen its time to reevaulate your life.
I almost had a seizure trying to read this comment
lol
I think jdouble was having a seizure as he /she wrote it…..
Must be a White Sox student…
Can you translate to English please?
This is beyond science
Cubs are “out of money” and up against the tax ledger. Makes no sense to extend these guys and increase their AAV. That would only raise their payroll and tax dollars this season. Makes perfect sense for a team who has stated their out of cash to do that.
They won’t extend them now because it’ll harm their luxury tax bill
The cubs are better off taking the luxury tax hit for a year or two before they can reset it as dead salary comes off the books. Biaz and Hendricks are part of their core that need to stay. I’m a huge fan of Hendricks btw. Not overpowering but knows how to “pitch” and showed guts in the post season
If I’m Baez I’m not extending. I’m going directly to free agency. The Cubs window to extend him closed a year ago if I’m Javy and his agent.
That said, the Cubs are pleading poverty these days. They won’t extend until sometime much later this season or once this season is over.
That good, because I’m sure the Cubs aren’t interested in it either.
Oh, the Cubbies would absolutely love to extend Javy, one of the elite players in the game.
with what money?
They literally just announced a deal to launch their own regional TV network starting next season. They’ll have PLENTY of money.
Any of the tens of millions coming off the books next season?
plenty, ok, that’s why they’ve done nothing this off season and why they had to make a trade just to be able to pickup Hamels option.
The Cubs have always been known as a cheap organization, and nothing’s changed. Both agents for Baez and Bryant know the cubs will expect a hometown discount to re-sign them in FA, which ain’t happening. One or both will be traded beforehand.
That’s why I said “would like to”.
Does that make sense?
The cubs have been known to be cheap. They have the highest payroll in the NL this season. Nice try, though.
They were cheap, then got sold to a new owner who’s been anything but cheap to date.
I wish they’d have made more of an effort to land Harper, but any team sitting on a 220 million dollar payroll clearly is not shy about spending
Sure, the cubs wasted a lot of money on mediocre players. Comparing rosters of the top 5 spending teams, the cubs are easily the worst on paper.
You can’t be cheap and wasteful at the same time. Pick one attack vector.
They are very profitable but their luxury tax burden is what they are up against. Heyward and darvish contracts certainly not helping. Schwarber Baez Bryant are going to need to get paid in next few years
No way Baez is agreeing to any type of extension…..the Cubs will have to outbid everyone for his services if they want him in their lineup.
Its always about the money and this guy is not different!
I’m wondering, what part of this “MVP runner-up Javy Baez and right-hander Kyle Hendricks say they’d welcome the chance to discuss multiyear extensions” or this “I would love to stay here my whole career, but we’ll see what happens on the business side.” from the linked article leads you and other to believe he wouldn’t agree?
Is there something subliminal in the syntax? A code? What?
I’d try to extend Baez right after this season. Given their lux tax situation especially. He’s still a free swinger at the plate and I’d bet his numbers aren’t quite as strong this year. Phenomenal talent but if I was betting I’d bet a small slide back for him offensively.
Lol I am pretty sure that Baez and his agent aren’t taking the fact that the Cubs didn’t extend him when he was not exceptional offensively as a personal slight.
If anything they should be thankful that the cubs didn’t extend him just before his breakout season, as he would have gotten a lot less money.
Some fans create the most outlandish scenarios
I don’t see the Cubs front office extending anyone this season since it would begin counting against their 2019 Competitive Balance Tax threshold while ownership is busy telling everyone they have essentially topped out in regards to this year’s budget. Next offseason would make more sense with Kyle Hendricks and Javier Baez as they also negotiate their 2020 arbitration salaries.
Exactly. This time already has one of the highest payrolls in the game. The advantage to having a young, proven championship core is that they are on team friendly contracts, they’ll pay them when they have to. A non story til then.
This ***TEAM
Hahaha. You and your “young, proven championship core.” I’m sure Royals fans thought the same thing shortly after their WS win. It’s been three years since the cubs won anything. It’s over. Just accept it and move on.
Cubs won the division in 2017. So clearly they’ve won something in the last three years
Though I suppose you’d be forgiven for forgetting such things exist, given how long it’s been since your team has been in contention for such a thing…
It’s over dude, the cubs are done. They’ll struggle to win 83 games. Pecota projections own you.
Oh no, the Cubs have lost the PECOTA league, whatever will I do?
Oh, right, watch how the actual MLB season plays out…
The team core is still young, it rotation is strong and the two question marks for the team is closer and backup catcher.
If Darvish come back as a solid two or three starter while Hendricks being the workhorse he is and Lester and Hamels pitch like the Veterans they are the Cubs will finish first in their Division…
And the likelihood of all of that happening for the cubs is slim to none.
Hahaha, I fell over when he mentioned PECOTA. I didn’t think it was possible, but this clown somehow managed to lose even more credibility. Hey ChiSoxCity, what # do you think Manny will wear? Exciting news! Congrats! The Sox are one step closer to actually being relevant… sort of. Hahaha
personally i was hoping to sit on that until the next time he pulls out “i actually watch the game’ to justify some weird statement that runs contrary to all the statistical evidence available
He doesn’t believe in sabremetrics but PECOTA is gospel truth….
Haha, right?!?
ChiSixShity ur an idiot
This is at least the third instance of “extension talks have not occurred” so far. I’d like to know who the other 27 clubs aren’t pursuing.
The end of the Cubs is near.
Pretty much. Bryant and Baez have zero interest in staying with the Cubs.
Did they tell you that when you were digging through their trash?
Haha, yep, that’s where he gets his sources. ChiSoxCity’s transparent and pathetic obsession with anything Cubs is sad. I think it’s clouded his judgement, UNLIKE the White Sox, the Cubs are actually a desirable location to play. They have no problem attracting and/or keeping FAs. Clearly that is not the case on the south side.
I’m surprised ChiSoxCity hasn’t had a shot of bleach yet after the embarrassment the White Sox suffered this past week.
“embarrassment the White Sox suffered this week” I’d argue it’s been going on since 2005.
No question FAs Heyward/Chatwood/Darvish found their offers desirable.
Here we go again… Koolaid drinking cubs fans think they’re MLB royalty or something. Aside from Lester (who came their because of Epstein), name one star FA who’s ever signed with the Cubs. I’ll wait…
You’re gonna be the one taking shots when the cubs blow it all up next year (or sooner). They Ricketts family have positioned themselves well to start milking their investment for the next decade.
The Sox or so embarrassing that tgey have the same amount of WS wins as the cubs do.
*are so embarrassing that they…
Milton Bradley
Soriano
lol
Another overpaid player no one else wanted. Starting to see a theme here.
The theme of you stating an opinion and making up ‘facts’ to justify it later is a theme most of us saw long ago…
Well said
Shouldn’t you be arguing for the Cubs to sign Bryant since you think he’s terrible because of RBI numbers?
Nah. The Cubs can’t do anything right either. Epstein and his staff have shown poor judgement in most of their roster moves after the rebuild. At some point, cubs fans will start to see it to. They won’t revolt of course. That requires backbone. cubdrones are legendary for their weakness to the koolaid.
I’m so happy you predicted that… Because now it will never happen based on the usual accuracy of your guesswork…
Since ChiSoxCity’s bad takes and strange mental gymnastics extend to his own team, you really shouldn’t take it personally when he says off-base things about the cubs. It’s just his thing. Let’s all just move along
Yes, “move along,” children. Time to take your koolaid shots.
No matter how much you hate on Cubs fans, Manny Machado is still a Padre and the White Sox are still not even a .500 team
Haha, he’s obsessed. More comments on this Cubs post than Cubs fans. Poor sap, it can’t be easy being a fan of the most irrelevant team in baseball. When your big free agent target chooses the F’n Padres over your team… ouch, very telling. The last big free agent they signed was Albert (or Joey) Belle and that was like 25 years ago?!? WOW!
The Cubs are in danger of losing biaz, Hendricks and Bryant by the end of the 2020 season. Take the financial hit now before the team is basically gutted by losses to free agency
Baez and Bryant are controlled through 2021
All the more reason they’ll walk if the money isn’t tops of what other teams are offering….why is why Bryant is taking it year by year….Baez will do exactly the same unless the Cubs come up with an offer he can’t refuse or top when free agency comes.
Most players don’t sign extensions… That fact alone would seem to indicate you’re reading way to much into this
Hendricks would we more than welcome on the Southside if they choose to let his contract ride out in a couple years.
Hendricks is a classy guy from an Ivy League school. I don’t think it would be a good fit.
This is the kind of elitist, vaguely racist comment that people expect from cubs fans and we could really do without
LOL.
Next time just say he probably wants to get paid, which makes him a poor fit for the White Sox
What part of his post was racist?
Now you see why everyone hates them. They’re #######s.
The only people who hate them seem to be White Sox fans… Many of whom seem to have chosen the White Sox due to pre-existing dislike of the Cubs…
I’m a cub fan, and yes I know why people hate us
I said “vaguely”. Why would someone bring up the fact that Hendricks went to an ivy league school and say he is a bad fit for the sox? Their GM went to Harvard for one.
When I say vague I am referring to undertones and what is not said
So your saying Cubs fans are white supremacists! That’s the undertone I got.
Considering the racist vitriol directed towards anything relating to the White Sox, both online and real world, I’d say that was an accurate characterization of Cubs fans. Just like old man Ricketts, you people made your beds, now sleep in them.
It’s not racist when people call you a dope, it’s just them actually listening to you for 2 minutes…
The Cubs will have to outbid the rest of the league to keep all their young stars, probably with the exception of Rizzo, or else when the time comes, they’ll watch them walk out the door to the highest bidder one by one.
That’s the way baseball business is done these days, especially with most ML players very unhappy with the arb and free agent systems as they now stand.
Time to pay up…..maybe Maddon can come up with a magician that can make all of managements cares disappear in one big puff of smoke.
2019 will be make or break season. They either contend now with urgency, or they break up the young talent core and retool for 2020. All the Cubs first round picks on the active roster are getting more expensive to keep. If they can’t win with what they have, they probably aren’t going to extend unless it is team friendly in nature. Javy needs to establish that he can reproduce last years production and not merely buy into his hype. That is going to be an uphill battle with a healthy KB and Javy dropping back down lower in linup. 1st 30 days will determine if he remains every day starter or splits time with Addy at SS when he is not splitting time at 2B.
Hendricks is a good pitcher who can be great, If he’s allowed to pitch deep into games and maintains that level of consistency, he could establish himself as #1 on staff once the veterans come off the books. Healthy Darvish right now pushes him to #4 possibly #5 if Q returns to form going into 2019. Cubs probably aren’t looking to extend him either unless it is team friendly.
If had to choose one to sign based on looks it would be Bryant, no question. Tall, handsome and a very strong young core. Hendricks isn’t so hard on the eyes either ; ).
This ain’t Grinder bru!
lol
I appreciate the compliment by pretending to be me and pretending to be a Cub fan. Your obsession, although not unique, is flattering. PLEASE keep posting (I’ll get an autograph to you later)