Extension talks between Cubs, Baez on hold due to COVID-19

Contract extension talks between the Chicago Cubs and All-Star shortstop Javier Baez have been put on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The slick-fielding Baez, who remains under team control through the 2021 campaign, is eager to get a deal done but admitted there isn't a rush.

"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 told Marly Rivera of ESPN.

Discussions surrounding a potential extension reportedly started in November and continued through the winter and into spring training.

Baez added that he's happy in Chicago and that all the talks so far have been amicable. He also sees a benefit to spending an entire career with one team even if some of his idols bounced around.

"It's a blessing when a player can wear the same uniform their whole life - but it's a business. For me, it's about loyalty. This is the team that has seen me grow up," Baez said. "Of course, many great players have played for many different teams in their careers. My favorite player, Manny Ramirez, has been on a lot of teams. Even though everyone identifies him with Boston, when he left, Manny was always Manny. That's how it'll be for me. I'll always be myself."

Over parts of six seasons with the Cubs, Baez has slashed .270/.310/.484 with 110 home runs, 354 RBIs, and 60 stolen bases. He's particularly come into his own over the last two seasons, earning consecutive All-Star appearances and finishing second in NL MVP voting in 2018.