Javier Baez Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Cubs trade star IF Javier Baez, SP Trevor Williams to Mets

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 7/30/21

Per David Adler of the MLB website, Chicago Cubs shortstop Javier Baez recently admitted he'd love to play alongside Puerto Rico World Baseball Classic teammate Francisco Lindor with the New York Mets so much so that Baez would be willing to move back to second base to make that dream a reality.

The two-time All-Star is getting his wish, and the Mets are getting a needed arm in the process.

MLB Network insider Ken Rosenthal reported Friday afternoon the Mets are acquiring both Baez and right-handed pitcher Trevor Williams from the Cubs ahead of the 4 p.m. ET trade deadline pending medical reviews. Baez joins the Mets hitting .248 with 22 home runs and 65 RBI on the season, while Williams is 4-2 with a 5.06 ERA in 12 starts and 13 total appearances on the campaign.

Pete Crow Armstrong, headed to the #Cubs, was the #Mets' 5th-best prospect.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) July 30, 2021

Mets deal: Baez and Trevor Williams come for Pete Crow Armstrong
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 30, 2021

The Mets begin the weekend atop the National League East standings but are only three-and-a-half games ahead of the second-place Philadelphia Phillies. Per ESPN stats, only the Pittsburgh Pirates (370) have scored fewer runs than the Mets (389) this season.

Lindor has been on the injured list since July 17 with a right oblique strain but is expected to return in early August.

More must-reads: