NEWSLETTER
In addition to all the obvious things to be thinking throughout this ridiculous Mets-Javy Báez thumbs down drama, one thing keeps popping into my head: They asked the Cubs to cover salary for all this.
So interested were the Mets in trading for Javy Báez that they sent their previous year’s first round pick, one of the better prospects in their system in the deal, and needed the Cubs to send along cash so they could stay under the luxury tax. That means they REALLY wanted Báez (and Trevor Williams), and were willing to give up a top prospect to make it happen and save a little money.
Now the Cubs walk away with Pete Crow-Armstrong, and the Mets have a player who has been struggling and whom they threw completely under the bus yesterday, even though it was Báez *AND* his teammates responding to the fans getting overly boo-y. And people are already talking about the possibility of a reunion with the Cubs after the season, which – setting aside whatever you think about the desirability of a reunion – would definitely be hilarious.
Baez back to the Cubs in winter seems quite possible. They appeared to have traction toward a deal in the high 100s ($150M plus) when the pandemic hit. Their fans go easier it’s true, especially when it comes to one of the heroes of 2016, their jinx-breaking title.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) August 30, 2021
Unfortunately for him, I suspect the pandemic season and this year have combined to lower Báez’s market value considerably. I cannot see him getting $150+ million in free agency, and I think it might be a battle to even get to nine figures. That said, a Cubs reunion is said to be not that far-fetched, and who knows. Maybe this whole debacle will remind both sides how well they go together, and a reasonable, shorter-term deal winds up making sense?
You can expect Cubs-Báez rumors this offseason – you could anyway – and you can expect that this story will be mentioned again throughout that process.
In the meantime, I can’t say how this situation is going to resolve with the Mets. Because it’s a fiasco, even though I really don’t think what Báez said was that big of a deal. Heck, I thought it was funny!
… others did not, including team president Sandy Alderson. Outspoken owner Steve Cohen agreed, telling The Post: “These are young guys and sometimes we forget they are on a public stage and can make mistakes. They hit the third rail, though, by messing with fans. And it is unacceptable. Hopefully, this is a teaching moment and they will learn from this.”
So, are we gonna get a statement from the players/Báez? A sarcastic thumbs up act of contrition during tomorrow’s game? I really wonder what happens now.
Elsewhere, the TAKES, man. The takes:
It’s impossible to think of another prospective free agent making a bigger public relations mistake then Javier Baez did today. Burned one bridge, and likely severely damaged his chances w other teams. Francisco Lindor needs to prepare an explanation for his participation, too.
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) August 30, 2021
If they aren’t up on a podium apologizing by noon tomorrow, DFA them. Eat the money. Get these selfish, overrated, dimbulbs out of that clubhouse. https://t.co/VO4uqHMEzS
— Keith Olbermann (@KeithOlbermann) August 29, 2021
Javier Baez last 162 games:
223 strikeouts
24 walks.Not a type-o.
— Paul Hembekides (@PaulHembo) August 30, 2021
Serious question: are NY baseball fans actually more vocal/likely to boo?
Isn’t it a matter of there simply being *more* fans here? Would fans in any other city also boo their team that was in first place much of the season & went 7-15 in August to fall out of the playoff race?
— James Wagner (@ByJamesWagner) August 30, 2021
Christopher Russo of High Heat just said that Javy can’t get away with what he did here in New York. His exact quote, “This isn’t Wrigley Field where people don’t care, this is NYC….just shut up and play…Javy Baez is an embarrassment.”
GTFO.
— OBVIOUS SHIRTS® (@obvious_shirts) August 30, 2021
The back page: Mets players declare ‘thumb’ war with fans https://t.co/SGs9wSY2dH pic.twitter.com/S9aPll71Di
— New York Post Sports (@nypostsports) August 30, 2021
Here’s our @nydnsports back page. @mets @DeeshaThosar @mlb @mlbnetwork @apse_sportmedia @Cubs @chicagotribune #javybaez https://t.co/NDXOW3EaUr pic.twitter.com/mUByRd5eo2
— Back Page Guy NYDN (@BackPageGuyNYDN) August 29, 2021
The other factor is Lindor:
Lindor had the Raccoon-Rat fiasco earlier this year that was mishandled.
Now, he's joining in on "boo the fans."
You just paid $341M for him to be your star & he's openly revolting against the fans?
This seems problematic & there's 10 more years…
— Matt Ehalt (@MattEhalt) August 30, 2021
The New York Mets have released an official statement: pic.twitter.com/qbF1YNkniM
— Bleacher Nation (@BleacherNation) August 30, 2021
