Bleacher Bums Forum

I appreciate it when Cub players rave about how much they love Chicago, playing in Chicago and the Cubs organization. Javy Baez is the most recent to do so, insisting he really does not want to play somewhere else.

"I hope I never leave this city in my whole career, but anything can happen," Báez said after Friday's game. "Hopefully I stay here my whole career.

"I love the fans, the dedication that they got for this team, and the other teams in the other sports for Chicago. We'll see what happens and hopefully I'll stay here.

Báez, who's under contract through next season, and the Cubs were discussing a contract extension last offseason. He expressed optimism that talks were progressing in March prior to baseball's COVID-19 shutdown.

MLB has felt the pandemic's financial impact in this 60-game season, and the financial outlook for next season and beyond is hard to predict. Báez feels comfortable in Chicago and with the Cubs, the only organization he's ever known.

"I'm pretty sure there's not another organization like this one," he said. "I've never been in another one but I feel like everybody that comes through here, they don't want to leave."

https://www.nbcsports.com/chicago/cubs/cubs-javy-baez-future-hopefully-i-stay-here-my-whole-career?fbclid=IwAR01ZXqSSGe8aA1xPFsp8c0feusmWvaEccT8zpOZgEMQCEAOH-eC7VwskPE

And yet, in the end it (virtually) always comes down to the money.  I get that everyone wants to get paid as much as possible, that's fine.  I get that the players are the guys who are the game, and that they should get their fair share.  But IF it's really true that a player deeply wants to play for the Cubs (or some other team), then why not be wiling sign for something below the optimal amount. Given that the budget will be what it will be, a star player's reluctance to take less than top dollar restricts the portion available for other players, including those who might be able to improve the team.

It's not a pro-ownership view to be disappointed that guys like Baez and Bryant talk a good game when it comes to remaining a Cub, but (so far) aren't willing to prioritize that over a few million more above the many, many millions they would make by signing for a bit less.