Javier Baez happy to still be with Cubs after trade deadline

As Major League Baseball's trade deadline approached last week, rumors and scenarios floated around the Internet and on social media with predictions that Javier Baez could be dealt.

Everyone seemed to wonder what was going to happen to the 22-year-old — even Baez.

Less than a week after the deadline has come and gone, Baez is still with the Iowa Cubs.

"I don't think so but I was ready for it," Baez said when asked if he thought he was going to be traded. "I understand that this is a business and anything can happen to you."

For weeks, the Internet was buzzing with talk that the Cubs were rumored to be in talks with teams and Baez, along with shortstop Starlin Castro, was in the middle of all the chatter. Some of the rumors had Castro being traded to open a spot for Baez. Others had Baez, who has played shortstop and second and third base, as being the odd man out with Castro, Addison Russell and Kris Bryant filling those spots in Chicago.

Every day there seemed to be some talk of a trade and it didn't go unnoticed to those around Baez.

"I prefer not to pay attention to it but you're still going to hear stuff from people in the clubhouse and outside from the fans and stuff," Baez said.

In the end, the Cubs ended up making two deals, neither of which involved Castro or Baez. Baez said he's happy to still be with the Cubs.

"I like this organization and I grew up here," Baez said.

But what does the future hold for him with Castro, Bryant and Russell still in Chicago? Adding to the issue is the strong season that Baez has put together, hitting .306 with 11 doubles and 11 homers in just 46 games with Iowa this season.

Baez's success is a big turnaround from a 2014 season that saw him get off to a slow start with Iowa before earning his first big league promotion, where he hit just .169 with 95 strikeouts in 52 games.

Those struggles carried over into spring training, forcing the Cubs to send Baez back to the minors. Despite his success this year, things haven't been entirely smooth. Baez missed the start of the season following the death of his sister Noely. In June, he landed on the disabled list with a non-displaced fracture in his left ring finger.

Baez said he didn't see live pitching for a month while he was on the disabled list. After a four game rehab stint in Arizona, he's picked up right where he left off since returning to Iowa's lineup on July 28, hitting two home runs in his first game back and hitting safely in seven of the first eight contests.

"I'm feeling pretty good since I came back," Baez said. "I've been playing well and seeing the ball well and hitting the ball pretty good."

Just as important, he's healthy.

"The hand is alright," he said. "It's been good since I came back. Hopefully I don't get hit there or anything so I don't hurt it again."

Iowa manager Marty Pevey said he'll continue to use Baez throughout the infield where he's already played short, second and third. There's still work to do at the plate, too, where Baez's massive cuts have produced mammoth home runs but tons of strikeouts, as well.

"He's got bat speed," Pevey said. "It's kind of a double-edged sword for him. It's cutting down to the point where he's under control and not falling down."

In a season full of ups and downs, Baez isn't focusing on the down parts.

"It's not the best (season) but it's going pretty good and I will come (back) and get better," Baez said.