On Friday, the New York Mets traded for Chicago Cubs shortstop Javier Baez. Baez helps fill the void caused by Francisco Lindor injury. Cubs pitcher Trevor Williams was also part of the deal where Chicago received outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong, the Mets’ No. 5 prospect in return.
Javier Baez made his Mets debut on Saturday at Citi Field, and did so in a big way. Trailing 4-1 in the sixth inning Baez drew the game closer with a two-run homerun. Bringing the Cincinnati lead to one run. The game felt different at that point. Citi Field erupted with “Ja-Vy, Ja-Vy” cheers as he appeared for his first curtain call in the big apple.
However, it wasn’t until the ninth inning when New York brought the score even on a game-tying two out single from Dominic Smith. Edwin Diaz took the mound for the Mets at the top of the tenth where he didn’t allow a hit and struck out two. When the Mets went up to bat at the bottom of the tenth inning Kevin Pillar took second base as the automatic baserunner. Brandon Drury quickly ended the game in walkout fashion with an RBI single off of Luis Cessa.
Edwin Diaz after his stellar 10th inning came away with the win and the Reds Luis Cessa was given the loss.
Javier Baez became the 30th player to homer in his Mets debut.
Thrilled with his first game in Flushing, Baez said, “The love that they showed me tonight, it was pretty special.”
Baez is expected to man the shortstop position in New York until the return of his longtime friend Francisco Lindor. From there Mets manager Luis Rojas has called the potential of both players together in the middle infield “mind blowing.”
Baez Free Agency
Whether the pairing is beyond this year is to be determined with Baez set to be a free agent after this season. When asked about his plans beyond the season the shortstop said,
“We’ll see how everything goes,” Baez said of his interest in playing for the Mets beyond the next two-plus months. “I’m obviously trying to get to know the other guys and trying to be as close as I can and learn from the guys and see what happens. … I know we’re in first place and hopefully we go deep in the playoffs and see what happens next year.”
Baez brings in some much-needed offense for the Mets and made an impact there in his debut. The Baez boost is already lifting the Mets, how it evolves as the postseason looms will be exciting to watch.
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