Will the New York Mets extend Javy Baez?

Javy Baez may be more than just a half-season rental for the New York Mets after all.

The New York Mets made a big splash at the 2021 MLB trade deadline by dealing for Chicago Cubs infielder Javy Baez.

Baez had spent his entire big-league career on the North Side prior to being to traded to the Mets at the deadline. While the Cubs were on the fence about extending him this year, Chicago decided to clear house with a massive rebuild in sight. Baez can play multiple infield positions, hits for power and offers great foot speed on the base path. He will be a hot commodity in his free agency.

Though they just traded for him, how sure are we that the Mets are planning on extending Baez?

New York Mets: Will Javy Baez be receiving an extension this offseason?

Baez would love to keep playing alongside shortstop Francisco Lindor. While Baez played shortstop for the Cubs, he could just as easily play second base like he did earlier in his Chicago career. This would force second baseman Jeff McNeil over to the hot corner with Pete Alonso manning first base to round out the infield. There are two factors in if Baez does get extended.

The first is how the Mets feel about McNeil. He is a former All-Star and is under team control for several more seasons. If they are cool with him and Baez playing second and third in some order, then this could work. The other thing to consider is if the Mets want to swing big in free agency to sign Baez’s former Cubs teammate Kris Bryant. They were a big contender to get him throughout.

Overall, New York has the money to be able to pay a premium to keep Baez in Queens. How he performs the rest of the way may tip the scales in either direction. However, the Cubs do not need to extend him right this instant. There are other big-time infielders who are hitting the market as well this winter. Baez can be a long-term piece in New York, but we won’t know for a few months.

Because New York traded for him, it is more likely than not that Baez does get a Mets extension.