Cubs Begin Extension Discussions With Star Slugger Javier Baez

The Chicago Cubs have their eyes set on locking up one of their young stars to a long-term deal, and it isn't Kris Bryant, at least not yet.

No, the front office reportedly wants to sign star slugger Javier Baez, who they've begun contract extension discussions with in the early stages of the offseason.

He's among the best of the Cubs' many key players who are set to hit free agency in the near future, and starting with him isn't necessarily a bad idea. The former NLCS MVP and 2018 NL MVP runner-up has been nothing short of brilliant for the Cubs on both sides of the ball throughout his career.

At the plate, he's blossomed into a dominant threat, especially over the last two seasons. Since the start of 2018, he owns a .286/.321/.544 slash line with 63 home runs and 196 RBIs across 298 games.

Those are terrific numbers, especially for a guy who plays both shortstop and second base. They're even more impressive when it's taken into consideration that he's also a quality defender.

Baez has amassed 20 defensive runs saved in 2,646 2/3 innings at shortstop and a further 19 in 1,856 innings at second base. That's elite play the likes of which practically every team in the league would kill to have, and that's what makes extending him such a necessity for Chicago.

The Cubs have to start somewhere with all of their young, talented stars. Baez is a good jumping off point.