The ongoing coronavirus pandemic is the main reason why All-Star shortstop Javier Baez still doesn’t have a long-term contract with Chicago Cubs. Baez recently revealed that he and Cubs were close to reaching an extension agreement before talks stalled due to MLB’s decision to suspend its season.

Cubs have Baez under contract through 2021, but both sides wanted to forge a new deal sooner than later.

“Obviously, we want to reach an agreement, but right now everything is on hiatus. Just like it happened with baseball, we decided to leave it there. We haven’t talked about it anymore,” Baez recently told ESPN in a conference call.

Still, the 27-year-old Puerto Rican isn’t particularly concerned that the negotiations stopped for the time being.

“I’m very happy in Chicago. I believe it’s one of the best organizations in the major leagues,” he added. “We had several conversations but never focused on a deadline. They were very amicable conversations where we communicated well with each other.”

Baze might not have to wait for long to resume talks with the Chicago Cubs’ organization, as MLB is making the first steps to resume the 2020 season. The league is currently finalizing a plan that could reportedly allow them to hold “spring training” in June and start the season in July. 

Javier Baez established himself as one of Cubs’ most important players in recent years. After being a part of the World Series-winning team in 2016, Baez made a significant step forward in the past two seasons, making consecutive All-Star appearances.

Baez, who made his MLB debut in 2014, has a.270 career batting average with 110 home runs and 354 RBIs.

The post All-Star SS Javier Baez and Cubs Discussed New Deal Before Season Suspension appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The Chicago Cubs’ All-Star shortstop is set to miss the rest of the regular season with a hairline thumb fracture, putting the North Siders’ division championship hopes in even more peril.

Javier Baez is not expected to return during the regular season, and his status if the Cubs make the playoffs is in question. The Puerto Rican infielder suffered a hairline fracture while sliding head-first into second base during last weekend’s series against the Milwaukee Brewers.

The Cubs initially thought that their shortstop would only miss a few days with a jammed thumb, but after a Saturday MRI revealed that the damage was more extensive than expected, the team finds itself in a tough situation heading down the stretch.

Backup Addison Russell will be forced to replace Baez, who has hit .281 on the season with 29 home runs and 11 stolen bases, as the team looks to track down the St. Louis Cardinals in the NL Central.

The Cubs currently trail their eternal rivals by 4.5 games in the division and have a slim 1.5 game lead in the race for the second NL Wild Card slot.

With star closer Craig Kimbrel already on the shelf for the rest of the season, the Cubs will have to overcome some serious injury obstacles if they want to make the playoffs and make a run towards the World Series title.

The post Cubs SS Javier Baez to Miss Rest of Season With Thumb Fracture appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The ongoing coronavirus pandemic is the main reason why All-Star shortstop Javier Baez still doesn’t have a long-term contract with Chicago Cubs. Baez recently revealed that he and Cubs were close to reaching an extension agreement before talks stalled due to MLB’s decision to suspend its season.

Cubs have Baez under contract through 2021, but both sides wanted to forge a new deal sooner than later.

“Obviously, we want to reach an agreement, but right now everything is on hiatus. Just like it happened with baseball, we decided to leave it there. We haven’t talked about it anymore,” Baez recently told ESPN in a conference call.

Still, the 27-year-old Puerto Rican isn’t particularly concerned that the negotiations stopped for the time being.

“I’m very happy in Chicago. I believe it’s one of the best organizations in the major leagues,” he added. “We had several conversations but never focused on a deadline. They were very amicable conversations where we communicated well with each other.”

Baze might not have to wait for long to resume talks with the Chicago Cubs’ organization, as MLB is making the first steps to resume the 2020 season. The league is currently finalizing a plan that could reportedly allow them to hold “spring training” in June and start the season in July. 

Javier Baez established himself as one of Cubs’ most important players in recent years. After being a part of the World Series-winning team in 2016, Baez made a significant step forward in the past two seasons, making consecutive All-Star appearances.

Baez, who made his MLB debut in 2014, has a.270 career batting average with 110 home runs and 354 RBIs.

The post All-Star SS Javier Baez and Cubs Discussed New Deal Before Season Suspension appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The Chicago Cubs’ All-Star shortstop is set to miss the rest of the regular season with a hairline thumb fracture, putting the North Siders’ division championship hopes in even more peril.

Javier Baez is not expected to return during the regular season, and his status if the Cubs make the playoffs is in question. The Puerto Rican infielder suffered a hairline fracture while sliding head-first into second base during last weekend’s series against the Milwaukee Brewers.

The Cubs initially thought that their shortstop would only miss a few days with a jammed thumb, but after a Saturday MRI revealed that the damage was more extensive than expected, the team finds itself in a tough situation heading down the stretch.

Backup Addison Russell will be forced to replace Baez, who has hit .281 on the season with 29 home runs and 11 stolen bases, as the team looks to track down the St. Louis Cardinals in the NL Central.

The Cubs currently trail their eternal rivals by 4.5 games in the division and have a slim 1.5 game lead in the race for the second NL Wild Card slot.

With star closer Craig Kimbrel already on the shelf for the rest of the season, the Cubs will have to overcome some serious injury obstacles if they want to make the playoffs and make a run towards the World Series title.

The post Cubs SS Javier Baez to Miss Rest of Season With Thumb Fracture appeared first on SportzBonanza.