Could Javier Baez be switching boroughs in 2022?
SNY MLB Insider Andy Martino reported on Tuesday afternoon that there is a “real chance” that the Mets and Baez will agree to a contract extension early in the offseason, but if they don’t, might the Yankees come calling?
According to Martino, the Yankees could factor into the mix for the All-Star infielder this offseason, as they were “one of the most aggressive teams in pursuit of Baez at this year’s trade deadline,” per sources.
The Yankees being in on Baez makes sense, of course, as they’re still trying to figure out their infield situation heading into 2022. Baez has previously said that the only way he would play second base is if he was teammates with longtime friend Francisco Lindor, which was of course the case following the 2021 trade deadline. But if he’s looking to move back to shortstop, the Yankees could be an obvious fit.
The Yankees had Gleyber Torres as shortstop for most of last season, but the move didn’t pan out, as Torres struggled defensively and was ultimately moved back to second base with Gio Urshela moving to short. The Bombers have a lot of questions heading into the offseason, and figuring out their infield setup for next season and beyond may be chief among them.
Baez is a career .264/.307/.477 hitter, but he put up better numbers than that in his 47 games as a Met, taking a more patient approach as he slashed .299/.371/.515.
Martino reported that Baez “would be inclined to stay” with the Mets if the team makes him a “serious offer early,” but the Yankees could be a team to keep an eye on if Baez, or the Mets, elects to move on.
