Failed trade will continue to haunt Mets in All-Star Game

In 2021, the Mets traded Javier Baez to the Tigers. Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Failed 2021 trade will continue to haunt Mets in the 2025 All-Star Game

By Seth Carlson | Last updated Jul 3, 2025 4:57 PM ET

When the 2025 MLB All-Star starters were announced on Wednesday night, the fanfare was undoubtedly bittersweet for the New York Mets and their fans.

The good? Shortstop Francisco Lindor was finally selected as the National League's starter at that position for the first time as a Met. When he was in Cleveland, he was selected to the American League All-Star team four times.

However, that development would be quickly overshadowed by the selections of two other 2025 All-Stars: Detroit Tigers outfielder Javier Baez and Chicago Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong.

In case you need a refresher: Those two were traded for each other in 2021, when the Mets desperately tried to save their season by trading the dynamic Crow-Armstrong for a rental of Baez, who would then leave that offseason for a long-term deal with the Tigers.

While Crow-Armstrong has been a revelation for the Cubs (already a 20-20 player worth 4.8 bWAR), it's Baez who really provides the "slap in the face" to the Mets, so to speak, due to his unforeseen resurgence.

Trade on July 30, 2021:

Javier Báez and Trevor Williams to the Mets.

Pete Crow-Armstrong and cash to the Cubs.

Today, Báez and PCA were named All-Star starters.@MLBNetwork
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 3, 2025

The 32-year-old has mostly been an albatross over the course of his six-year contract with Detroit, but he has found new life in 2025 with a 118 OPS+ (18% above league average at the plate) and 2.2 bWAR in 72 games played thus far. Baez has particularly thrived since moving to the outfield, with a rating of two outs above average (OAA) defensively.

Regardless of his success, however, Baez's selection as a Midsummer Classic starter was not expected by any means. And the Mets are now forced to watch as two of their former players suit up as All-Star starters.

It's just another (painful) reminder to avoid desperation in summer trade talks, even with the addition of the third wild card in baseball. The Mets thought they could make a postseason run in 2021 and paid a heavy price when they ultimately fell short.

Now with David Stearns leading the front office, the Mets will hope to sidestep such lopsided trades going forward and save themselves the embarrassment that they'll inevitably face down in Atlanta in just a few weeks.

Seth Carlson

Seth Carlson is an experienced writer and editor based in the NYC area with a particular love for all things baseball. He has a demonstrated history of delivering insightful analysis and engaging content across multiple outlets and industries. Seth brings his expertise and commitment to high-quality coverage to Yardbarker’s readers.

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