Prior to arriving with the Mets in July, Javier Baez campaigned for the chance to play with friend and international teammate Francisco Lindor.
Baez got his wish when he was dealt from the Chicago Cubs to the Mets on July 30. He’ll be a free agent in the winter, so his future with the Mets beyond 2021 is still up in the air.
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But now it’s Lindor’s turn to lobby for Baez to remain his teammate. According to a report from Newsday, Lindor is going to bat to keep Baez with the Mets.
“I know Javy does fit in in what we’re trying to accomplish here,” Lindor told Newsday. “He’s a winner. He plays the game as hard as he can day in and day out. He gives it his best. He’s my boy, too, so that helps. But at the end of the day, I know what he’s capable of doing. We’ve all seen it.”
While Baez’s relationship with Mets fans got off to a rocky start when he and Lindor used thumbs-down gestures to send a message to booing fans. But it’s hard to deny the impact Baez has had on the lineup.
In 39 games with the Mets, Baez has hit .307 with nine home runs and 19 RBI. His aggressive base running and impressive swim slides have helped the Mets generate some offense out of nowhere.
Baez, a noted free-swinger at the plate, has also been noticeably more patient with the Mets. He’s walked 12 times in 39 games after drawing just 15 walks in 91 games with the Cubs earlier this season.
According to Newsday, Lindor was asked if he believed Mets owner Steve Cohen had the money to keep Baez, and with a laugh, he answered, “Of course.”
The Mets will likely go through changes both on and off the field following the season, which is very likely to end without a postseason berth. But so far, Baez has shown he can be a difference maker if the Mets bring him back.
Chris Ryan may be reached at cryan@njadvancemedia.com.
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