Projected New York Mets lineup if they trade for Kris Bryant and Javier Baez

If the New York Mets somehow pull of a deal for Kris Bryant and Javier Baez, here’s what their lineup would look like at full strength.

It’s MLB Trade season, and the New York Mets are not being quiet.

Through a bunch of injuries, the Mets have persevered to lead the NL East entering Friday–trade deadline day. They are clearly a buyer as they try to stay atop the division. Along with Kris Bryant as a lingering rumored top trade target, Jon Heyman of MLB Network has reported the Mets are in talks with the Cubs about shortstop Javier Baez.

Bryant and Baez are both headed for free agency after the season, so they are easy trade chips as the Cubs rebuild and top-end rentals for contending teams. Heyman was quick to point out it’d be one or the other for the Mets, not both.

Baez and Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor are friends, and Heyman pointed out how Baez said aloud this week he wants to team with Lindor. That may push him to the top of the Mets’ trade list, above Bryant, assuming it’s indeed one or the other for them.

But let’s walk down the “never say never” path of the Mets getting Bryant and Baez. What would the lineup look like? Lindor is currently on the IL with an oblique injury, with a timetable to return in mid-to-late August. Once he’s back, here’s what the Mets’ lineup could look like.

Mets lineup projection with Kris Bryant and Javier Baez (and Lindor healthy)

1-SS Francisco Lindor
2-2B Javier Baez
3-3B Kris Bryant
4-1B Pete Alonso
5-RF Michael Conforto
6-LF Dominic Smith
7-CF Brandon Nimmo
8-C James McCann
9-Pitcher’s Spot

Baez would of course play shortstop for as long as Lindor is out, and Bryant’s versatility would allow him to mix in at multiple positions if manager Luis Rojas wanted to go that way. But that 1-4 of Lindor, Baez, Bryant and Alonso is obviously formidable.