Can Baez replicate magic that Cespedes brought to NY?
The Mets this season have typically responded well to a new bat in their lineup. When Brandon Nimmo returned from his left index finger injury, he brought a spark with him that immediately boosted the team’s overall on-base percentage. In J.D. Davis’ second game back from the injured list earlier this month, he brought power back to the lineup with a two-homer day.
Perhaps Javier Baez can go back in time and replicate another kind of fury and spark the Mets received at their trade deadline in 2015. Yoenis Cespedes exploded onto the scene, transformed the team’s offense and carried the Mets to their first playoff appearance in nearly a decade. Over the final 57 games of the ‘15 season, Cespedes crushed 17 home runs, including nine dingers in a 13-game stretch.
Baez now has the opportunity — and the makeup — to provide that same boost to a Mets offense stuck scoring the second-lowest runs per game in MLB for the majority of the 2021 season. At the very least, Baez can help the Mets (54-48) maintain their first-place lead in an underperforming NL East with the eventual goal of winning the division.
“I know New York got great fans,” Baez said on Saturday during his first day with the Mets. “I’ve seen it from the other side. Hopefully, they’re excited to have me. I’m really excited to be on the team and bring my energy here.”
The slick-handed shortstop has the reputation of being obsessed with winning. That was part of the reason the Mets jumped at the opportunity to acquire him from the Cubs before Friday’s trade deadline, giving up their top outfield prospect in Pete Crow-Armstrong in the process.
Baez, a two-time All-Star and 2016 NLCS MVP, said it was difficult for him to leave the city where he grew up as a professional baseball player. He was the Cubs’ first-round draft pick in 2011 and played eight big-league seasons in Chicago where his pop at the plate and trademark pizzazz fully blossomed. Including this season, Baez has clubbed 20 homers in each of the last four full seasons.
“I’m very impressed with his demeanor and I’m very excited for him to be here,” said Mets manager Luis Rojas. “All he talks about is winning. He comes to the field with the right mindset. We’re all very excited that he’s here. He’s definitely a strong presence. It’s good to have him here.”