Javy Baez has 11 million reasons to smile…

The Chicago Cubs avoided arbitration with the 28-year-old Puerto Rican professional baseball shortstop, nicknamed “El Mago,” who will be a free agent after 2021.

Baez settled with the team for $11.65 million.

He’s coming off subpar 2020 campaign. Baez hit .203 with eight home runs.

Baez is likely to stick with the Cubs long term before he hits the open market. He was negotiating with the team last March before the league shut down amid the coronavirus pandemic. Those talks have not reignited yet but should pick up again in spring training.

The Cubs also settled on a 2021 salary for catcher Willson Contreras for $6.65 million.