Javier Baez could be on his way to New York even if he isn’t traded this week.
Speaking with Mega 106.9 FM, Baez expressed his desire to play next to Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor.
“If I go to free agency, I would like to play with Francisco Lindor,” Baez said. “I loved playing with him in the World 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 will be one of a few shortstops set to headline the 2021 free-agent class. A two-time All-Star in eight seasons, Baez is one of the slickest fielders in baseball with plenty of pop in his bat.
The Mets already committed to Lindor for another decade and Baez at second would push Jeff McNeil to third base. New York would have the best defensive middle infield in baseball but there would be a significant blockage for rising prospects like Brett Baty, Ronny Mauricio, and Mark Vientos.
This season Baez is batting .245/.289/.483 with 22 home runs and 65 runs batted in. He’s struck out a league-high 130 times.
