The Chicago Cubs continue their fire sale, trading shortstop Javier Baez to the New York Mets. Baez is the latest player to be traded away from Chicago after Anthony Rizzo, Craig Kimbrel and Andrew Chafin. The trade is pending a medical evaluation of Baez, but is expected to go through.
ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported the news of the trade on Friday afternoon.
BREAKING: The New York Mets are finalizing a trade to acquire shortstop Javier Baez from the Chicago Cubs, sources tell ESPN. Deal is pending medicals.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 30, 2021
Baez was another key piece of the 2016 World Series championship along with Rizzo (already traded) and Kris Bryant (expected to be traded before the deadline). He owns two All-Star selections, a Gold Glove, a Silver Slugger and finished second in MVP voting in 2018.
Listed primarily as a shortstop, Baez is more of a utility infielder who can play second, short and third. Usually a defensive wizard, he has 18 errors on the season, a career high.
He leads the league in strikeouts, at 131, but always posts high strikeout numbers as he swings for the fences on most every pitch. Baez has slugged 22 homers on the year, posting a batting average of .248 in 2021. The Mets need those home runs in their lineup if they hope to win the NL East, regardless of the strikeout numbers.
Featured Image courtesy of Joe Sargent/Getty Images
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