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The Chicago Cubs need starting pitching and the New York Mets need a shortstop. The Cubs have a surplus at shortstop and the Mets have a surplus of starting pitching. So the teams should make a deal, right? Well, it certainly appears that way now.
Cubs general manager Jed Hoyer said that a deal will “happen eventually” when talking to reporters on Monday. Speculation surrounding the trade includes the fact that Javier Baez is more likely to be involved in a deal than Starlin Castro as Castro is signed to a team-friendly deal already and Baez has struggled.
The thought is that if Baez can turn things on in Triple-A, the Mets may be willing to part with top pitching prospect Noah Syndergaard. Since Hoyer has experience with some members of the Mets front office, he appears confident he can get a deal done before the deadline.
Acquiring Syndergaard would give the Cubs an excellent rotation with Jon Lester and Jake Arrieta already at the top. In addition to that, the team has the resources to sign another top pitcher such as Johnny Cueto or Jordan Zimmermann this offseason.
Getting that pitching to go with the evolving young lineup they already have could make the Cubs one of the favorites in the National League for years to come.
Meanwhile, the Mets could really use a shortstop like Baez or Castro. At this point, it seems like Baez is the best they can do, and they will have to see improvement from him at the Triple-A level before they feel confident dealing for him. However, if he reaches his potential, he could put New York’s lineup over the top.
In the end, it looks like a deal of some sort is going to get done between these teams. Now it’s just a matter of time and the players involved.
