MLB Insider Reveals Mets and Cubs Discussed Swap of Star Players

The New York Mets are surely kicking themselves for trading Pete Crow-Armstrong. Dealt at the 2021 trade deadline to the Chicago Cubs, the 23-year-old has blossomed into one of baseball’s most electrifying players, a five-tool star whose talent appears limitless.

On Tuesday in Atlanta, Crow-Armstrong will be the National League’s starting center fielder for the All-Star Game, the first of likely several appearances in the Midsummer Classic for years to come.

Now, envision a world where Crow-Armstrong was back on the Mets. It may be hard to imagine, but believe it or not, there was an instance a few years ago when New York tried to reacquire the Cubs phenom.

SNY MLB insider Andy Martino recently recently that the Mets and Cubs chatted briefly ahead of the 2023 deadline about a deal involving Crow-Armstrong and star first baseman Pete Alonso.

While the concept of a Pete-for-Pete swap is fascinating at its core, talks apparently didn’t get very far.

“During this time, the Mets front office hatched a brief, outside-the-box idea,” Martino reported. “What about calling the Cubs to feel them out about Pete for Pete? The Cubs were known to have liked Alonso, and rumored to be weighing a pursuit of him.

“According to league sources with direct knowledge of the situation, the call was made. The conversation was brief. The answer was no.”

 

How Did the Cubs Acquire Pete Crow-Armstrong?

Crow-Armstrong was drafted in the first round (19th overall) out of high school in 2020. The following May, he underwent shoulder surgery, prematurely ending his first professional season.

In July 2021, with the Mets seeking to aid their playoff push, Crow-Armstrong was traded to the Cubs for infielder Javy Baez and pitcher Trevor Williams.

Baez performed well during his brief stint in New York, slashing .299/.371/.515 with nine home runs and 22 RBI in 47 games, but the Mets fell apart down the stretch and finished 77-85 to miss the playoffs. That offseason, Baez signed a six-year, $140 million contract with the Detroit Tigers.

Meanwhile, Crow-Armstrong debuted with the Cubs in September 2023. He had 10 homers and 27 stolen bases in 123 games in 2024 before breaking out as a first-time All-Star this season.

 

PCA and Pete Alonso are Both All-Stars

Crow-Armstrong has become a fixture atop the Cubs’ lineup, hitting .265 with 25 homers, 71 RBI and 27 stolen bases while flashing Gold Glove-caliber defense in center field. His 5.2 WAR leads all National Leaguers and is second in the majors to Aaron Judge’s 7.1.

He, ironically, will be teammates ever so briefly with Alonso, who was voted to his fifth All-Star team after recording 21 homers and 77 RBI in the season’s first half.

Martino recently caught up with Crow-Armstrong, who said he harbors no disappointment about being traded by the Mets.

“I was looking for anything good to happen,” Crow-Armstrong said. “I was still relatively early on in the rehab process when I got traded. The change of scenery ended up being important.”

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