Javy Baez Avoids Arbitartion, Agrees to $5.2 Million Deal

In what was perhaps the biggest surprise from among the Cubs’ arbitration-eligible players, Javy Baez settled for a mere $5.2 million Friday. Coming off of his MVP-caliber season, expectations were that El Mago could have fetched upwards of $7 million, so the Cubs really came out with a little extra money here.

Between this and previously reported agreements, the Cubs are roughly $3 million below estimated arb raises, which may put them in line to go after a decidedly mediocre reliever a little closer to the start of spring training. We’ll have a look at the arb totals and their financial impact once everything has been determined.