Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
It’s no secret the Mets love Javier Báez.
Owner Steve Cohen enjoyed getting to know the star shortstop after acquiring him at the trade deadline, Báez enjoyed hearing Cohen’s vision for the franchise and his desire to build a winning team.
According to SNY’s Andy Martino, the Mets remain involved in the Báez sweepstakes that could end before a possible MLB lockout on December 2.
Martino continued that multiple agents and executives speculate that Baez and free agent shortstop Corey Seager could choose their destination prior to a likely work stoppage.
Báez showed his ability to handle New York and his willingness to sacrifice for the better of a team in his two months in Queens. Báez shifted to second base, while Francisco Lindor remained at shortstop when healthy. Those two together would create the best up-the-middle defense in baseball.
With Billy Eppler officially installed as Mets general manager, the two camps have continued talks on Báez remaining in New York for the foreseeable future. Báez has other suitors outside the Mets, including the Boston Red Sox, but no compensatory pick attached from a qualifying offer makes him all the more attractive to the Mets.
The high-end for a Baez deal comes in around $25 million per year for five or six years.
With the Mets, Báez hit .299 with nine home runs and 22 RBI. He decreased his strikeout rate and raised his walk rate, primarily because opposing pitchers refused to throw him anything in the zone. His on-base percentage went from .292 in Chicago to .371 in New York.
