Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
It was a fun two months for El Mago in Queens, but the star shortstop is headed back to the midwest after agreeing to a six-year, $140 million contract with the Detroit Tigers, according to Mark Feinsand.
Javier Báez is heading to the motor city, becoming the latest of the top shortstops to ink a deal before the assumed work stoppage on December 2. The Mets originally acquired Báez at the trade deadline in a deal that sent him and right-handed pitcher Trevor Williams to New York in exchange for 19-year-old outfield prospect Pete Crow-Armstrong.
Báez came to New York, giving him the chance to play second base next to his best friend Francisco Lindor. The first month of his acquisition they barely saw the field together because of various injuries but in September they’d be the Mets’ two-best players.
Báez’s final stats in New York put him as the best trade deadline acquisition the Mets have made since Yoenis Cespedes. Baéz batted .299/.371/.515 with nine home runs and 22 runs batted in across 47 games in a Mets uniform. He had a wRC+ of 143, the highest of his career while wearing blue and orange.
At the start of the offseason, it seemed as if re-signing Báez was at the top of the Mets priority sheet. Signing and investing millions into free agents Mark Canha, Eduardo Escobar, Starling Marte, and Max Scherzer ultimately made owner Steve Cohen reach his limit on large contracts. The Mets payroll currently stands at the highest in baseball at $267 million for next season.
The Mets still had an interest in retaining Báez and he had an interest in returning to New York per multiple reports.
Báez ends up being a casualty of the Robinson Cano contract the Mets are hampered with the next two seasons. His $20 million salary could have easily been spent on Báez, had the Mets not traded for Cano prior to the 2019 season.
New York still has ample options for middle infield spots with Jeff McNeil, Escobar, and Cano signed. Plus the loss hurts a lot less when fewer than 24 hours ago you sign a three-time Cy Young winner as Jacob deGrom‘s number two. Expect the Mets to pivot to more starting pitching and bullpen arms if they end up making a move before the work stoppage.
