Mets: 3 Francisco Lindor replacements worth trading for at the deadline

Mets trade for Javy Baez

Baez makes the most sense for a Mets team that can probably afford to fork over a couple top-20 prospects in exchange for a player with proven postseason experience in the final year of his contract.

Now, this all depends on whether the Cubs can sign Baez to a long-term extension in the coming days. Reports indicate that Chicago is prioritizing extensions with both Baez and Anthony Rizzo, and trading their other spare parts. Baez likely still wants a deal somewhere near the $200 million range, and the Cubs aren’t paying that, period.

So, with that in mind, it makes a lot of sense for Chicago to deal Baez to a team that could use his services, even if only for the short-term. Lindor and Baez are good friends, so there won’t be any confrontation involved. Javy even has experience playing second and third base, so when Lindor returns, they can transition him elsewhere. It makes all the sense in the world.