Chicago Cubs star Javier Baez is being traded to the New York Mets, part of the blockbuster deal with just minutes left until the MLB trade deadline.
Baez, who rejected a contract extension earlier this year, became an obvious trade candidate with the Cubs aggressively selling. Once Anthony Rizzo and Craig Kimbrel were dealt, a Baez trade became inevitable for Chicago.
The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal first reported the Mets and Cubs were progressing further in negotiations. Minutes later, ESPN’s Jeff Passan shared that a blockbuster trade for Baez was being finalized.
Baez, a free agent this offseason, fills an immediate need for the Mets. Francisco Lindor landed on the injured list July 17 with an oblique strain. With the All-Star shortstop expected to be sidelined for a few more weeks, New York finds its short-term replacement.
- Javier Baez stats (2020): .248./.292/.484, 2 home runs, 65 RBIs, 13 stolen bases, .775 OPS and 2.0 fWAR
Once Lindor returns, Baez will shift over to second base. While the 28-year-old hasn’t played the position since 2018, he has more than 1,800 innings at second and is also capable of playing third base.
The Mets are also receiving right-handed pitcher Trevor Williams. Across 58.2 innings this season, 12 starts, he holds a 5.06 ERA with a 1.53 WHIP. But the Mets might be able to get some effective innings out of him at a time when multiple starters are on the injured list.
In exchange for Baez and Williams, per MLB insider Jon Heyman, the Cubs will receive outfield prospect Pete Crow-Armstrong. In Baseball America’s midseason update, Crow-Armstrong rated as the sixth-best prospect in the Mets’ farm system.
The trade will become official once players pass their physicals.