(AUDACY) The Mets have been linked to Cubs infielder/outfielder Kris Bryant since this past offseason, but what about Bryant's teammate Javier Baez?
Like Bryant, Baez is set to be a free agent at season's end, and with the Cubs looking like sellers, he could be on the move before the trade deadline Friday afternoon. There haven’t been any reports linking Baez to New York, but Baez did express his desire to play alongside Mets star shortstop Francisco Lindor in the future.
“If I go to the free agency, I would like to play with Francisco Lindor,” Baez said during an interview with Mega 106.9 FM on Monday. “I loved playing with him in the World (Baseball) Classic. It is the only option I would take to play second base if it is to play with him, otherwise I stay playing at shortstop.”
Baez's new comments echo what he told 670 The Score in 2020, when he also sang Lindor's praises when Lindor was still playing for Cleveland.
Baez has played solely shortstop this season, and that has been his primary position since 2019. Baez played 104 games at second base back in 2018, and he seemed to make it clear that he would be willing to move there permanently if it meant being Lindor’s double play partner.
Baez is a strong defender at shortstop, winning the Gold Glove there in 2020 after having posted an even stronger statistical season at the position in 2019. But he has made 17 errors at the position in 2021 while also leading the league in strikeouts with 130 through 90 games. The 28-year-old Baez has 22 homers and a .773 OPS entering play Wednesday and isn’t far removed from his back-to-back All-Star selections in 2018 and 2019.
The Mets will be prioritizing starting pitching at the trade deadline but have said they will explore any potential upgrades. Knowing Baez would be open to a position change if it meant playing next to Lindor, perhaps that knowledge would motivate New York to try and swing a deal if it meant Baez would commit for the long term.
Follow Ryan Chichester on Twitter @ryanchichester1.
Follow WFAN on Social Media
Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | Twitch