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NY Mets: 1 reason trading Pete Crow-Armstrong was not a mistake

By Allen Settle |
JUPITER, FLORIDA - MARCH 17: Pete Crow-Armstrong #91 of the New York Mets scores a run against the Miami Marlins during the seventh inning of a Grapefruit League spring training game at Roger Dean Stadium on March 17, 2021 in Jupiter, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
JUPITER, FLORIDA - MARCH 17: Pete Crow-Armstrong #91 of the New York Mets scores a run against the Miami Marlins during the seventh inning of a Grapefruit League spring training game at Roger Dean Stadium on March 17, 2021 in Jupiter, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – AUGUST 01: Javier Baez #23 of the New York Mets in action against the Cincinnati Reds at Citi Field on August 01, 2021, in New York City. The Reds defeated the Mets 7-1. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – AUGUST 01: Javier Baez #23 of the New York Mets in action against the Cincinnati Reds at Citi Field on August 01, 2021, in New York City. The Reds defeated the Mets 7-1. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

The 2021 trade deadline was the most chaotic and action-packed in history. A total of TEN 2021 MLB All-Stars were shipped to new teams. While the New York Mets were not able to land a current All-Star, they were able to acquire noteworthy pieces.

The addition of veteran starter Rich Hill was the first move to be reported. Then, the hammer dropped! Reports began to emerge that the Mets had traded for superstar Javier Baez in a deal with the Chicago Cubs. Here is the full breakdown:

This latter move will capture all the headlines. And rightfully so. The addition pairs the longtime Cubs’ star with fellow All-Star Fransico Lindor. This will assuredly create one of the most dynamic middle infields in recent memory. If things go well this season, it also opens the door for a long-term pairing.

However, the blockbuster trade did come at a high price. The Mets were forced to part with 2020 1st round draft pick Pete Crow-Armstrong. Was this a mistake for New York? Let’s take a look:

The Prospect

Crow-Armstrong was a top prospect in the Mets’ farm system. He was also widely considered to be the franchise’s centerfielder of the future. The 19-year-old had become one of the more popular minor league players due to his ability to solidify a position that has felt unstable for years.

The Mets are a club that has cycled through centerfielder the way most teams go through closers. Current CF Brandon Nimmo has brought excellent on-base percentage numbers to the table. However, the natural corner outfielder has, at times, struggled defensively. This is a common story for New York.

The franchise has employed a plethora of one-dimensional players including (*takes a deep breath*): Juan Lagares, Jake Marisnick, Curtis Granderson, Billy Hamilton, Carlos Gomez, Yoenis Cespedes, Andres Torres, and Austin Jackson. The team has lacked a player with above-average defensive and hitting skills since Carlos Beltran suited up in blue and orange in the late 2000s.

Crow-Armstrong was believed to he this type of talent. His defensive abilities were rock-solid. He was also batting a blistering .417 in 2021 before seeing his season come to an end due to a shoulder injury that required season-ending surgery.

PORT ST. LUCIE, FL – MARCH 11: Ronny Mauricio #2 of the New York Mets in action against the St. Louis Cardinals during a spring training baseball game at Clover Park at on March 11, 2020, in Port St. Lucie, Florida. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
PORT ST. LUCIE, FL – MARCH 11: Ronny Mauricio #2 of the New York Mets in action against the St. Louis Cardinals during a spring training baseball game at Clover Park at on March 11, 2020, in Port St. Lucie, Florida. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /

The Rental

The idea of parting with the centerfielder of the future seems even bleaker in light of Baez’s contract situation. The star is in the final year of his deal before he enters what is expected to be a very lucrative free agency.

This means that the Mets are only guaranteed to employ Baez as a rest-of-season rental. There is a very real possibility that either Baez or the club elects against pursuing a long-term union.

Baez will assuredly help the Mets this season. Lindor is expected to be out another 1-4 weeks as he recovers from an oblique injury. Baez will provide elite defense and power production from the shortstop position, before shifting to 2nd or 3rd base for the remainder of the year.

His services will be quite useful during a playoff run. The fact that Baez has publically expressed interest in pairing with fellow Puerto Rican star Lindor may also be a positive indication that he and the Mets could work out a mutually beneficial contract beyond 2021.

However, as things currently stand, Crow-Armstrong is a high price for a rental.

The Backup Plan

There is one chief reason why I believe trading Crow-Armstrong was reasonable despite the factors listed above. As things currently stand, the Mets have a natural pivot that would simultaneously solve their outfield issue while also addressing a logjam at another important position.

Current upper-tier prospect Ronny Mauricio remains with the club. However, the shortstop appears to be without a path to MLB playing time with his position gridlocked by Lindor and the potential retention of Baez.

Now that the Mets are without a future centerfielder, top analysts such as Kieth Law of The Athletic have suggested training Mauricio as an outfield. The 20-year-old prospect has the speed and defensive skills to profile well as a CF. Beginning the process now gives New York a clear path toward a sensible solution.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – FEBRUARY 10: Mets owner Steve Cohen at the opening of the coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination site at Citi Field on February 10, 2021, in the Queens borough of New York City. The inoculation site will focus on providing vaccinations to Queens residents, food service workers, and taxi drivers. (Photo by David Dee Delgado/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – FEBRUARY 10: Mets owner Steve Cohen at the opening of the coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination site at Citi Field on February 10, 2021, in the Queens borough of New York City. The inoculation site will focus on providing vaccinations to Queens residents, food service workers, and taxi drivers. (Photo by David Dee Delgado/Getty Images) /

The Verdict

At the end of the day, the Mets could not stand by and let the most active trade deadline in history pass them by. They needed to make a splash move.

Despite having nearly a 60% chance to win the NL East (a number that was even high at the trade deadline), the rest of the division did not throw in the towel.

The Phillies added a starting pitcher and reliever in Kyle Gibson and Ian Kennedy. Both players addressed major needs. The Braves also added a slew of power outfielders (including Jorge Soler, Eddie Rosario, Joc Peterson, and Adam Duvall) to pivot in the wake of Ronald Acuna’s injury.

National League teams including the Dodgers, Padres, Brewers, and Giants also made major moves as they position themselves for World Series runs. It is quite clear the competition is steep.

The Mets needed a player like Baez to keep pace with the other NL powerhouses. While losing a top prospect like Crow-Armstrong certainly hurts, the fact that Mauricio could cover the club’s future positional needs lightens the blow. The fact that PCA also recently underwent major surgery the season after losing an entire year of minor league competition to the COVID pandemic makes the trade feel even more sensible.

The most charitable view on the deal is that the Mets made a great move. However, even critics should recognize that New York did not err in their most recent blockbuster.

Next. How the Mets can handle the DH in 2022

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