NY Mets Free Agent Face-Off: Javier Baez versus Kris Bryant

Javier Baez and Kris Bryant have more in common than their shared time together on the Chicago Cubs for several seasons. Each is now a free agent and a potential target for the New York Mets to sign.

Baez, as you may recall if you have a memory longer than a goldfish or me pretending to listen but not really listening and then I get asked a question about the subject, finished up the 2021 season as a member of the Mets. So the connection to them is already there.

Meanwhile, Bryant has been a trade candidate for the Mets ever since it became apparent that the Cubs were leaning toward a rebuilding or retooling phase of the franchise. He ended up getting traded to the San Francisco Giants over the summer, leaving the Mets with questions remaining at third base. Those questions haven’t gone away yet at the hot corner. Bryant remains in play for the Mets there and possibly even in one of the two corner outfield positions.

Is Javier Baez or Kris Bryant a better free agent for the Mets to sign?

There are a lot of reasons why the Mets should target each of these men and a few suggesting they should go in a different direction. The ultimate power play would be to sign them both. Wouldn’t that be something?

Realistically, the Mets can probably fit one on the roster and payroll. We witnessed firsthand last offseason as the club refrained from making historic upgrades. Instead, they looked for the right fit.

And that’s what this debate between Baez and Bryant ultimately comes down to. Which one is the better fit for what the Mets need most?

Should the Mets sign Javier Baez over Kris Bryant?

It’s easy to imagine what a Mets squad with Baez on it would look like. He’d play second base for the team and substitute at shortstop if/when needed. The Mets could potentially have the best duo up the middle with him paired alongside Francisco Lindor.

Baez gives the Mets a boost on offense few middle infielders can. Add his age into the equation and the relationship is one we could see for many more years.

There’s no super argument against signing Baez. He might strike out a lot, but who doesn’t these days? If 30 home runs from your Gold Glove second baseman comes with 200 strikeouts, it’s not such a bad thing. Baez can provide the team with some extra excitement, smart base running, and other intangibles.

Truly, the greatest knock against him, might be how the rest of the team feels about his presence on the roster. Baez isn’t shy about showboating. Whether it’s to the opponent or directed at the fans, Baez is an arrogant athlete. For this reason, some fans aren’t willing to accept his return to Flushing.

And I understand that completely. It’s hard to root for a guy who doesn’t like you. Ignoring the nonsense explanation the Mets ultimately came out with to explain away his thumbs-downing of the fans, it’s clear he is a guy who might have a tough time developing a good relationship with fans in New York. This doesn’t make him a bad person. It might just mean he is best-suited in a city with lesser expectations.