3. The Javier Baez trade
The Javier Baez trade was an absolute steal for the Cubs. In exchange for two and a half months of starter Trevor Williams and Javier Baez (not even the best Javier Baez mind you), the Cubs secured a top tear-outfield prospect in Pete Crow-Armstrong. The only tool Crow-Armstrong is lacking in is power, but other than that he is the whole package. He can hit, steal bases, has a strong arm and has a perfect grade of 80 for his defense. Crow-Armstrong is also ranked as the seventh best prospect in all of baseball.
After closing out 2021 with the Mets, Baez signed a seven-year deal with the Detroit Tigers, where his offensive production has taken a steep nosedive. In 2022 and 2023, Baez hit just 23 home runs and collected 2.4 WAR. 2023 has been particularly bad with the former MVP runner-up posting a 62 wRC+ (league average is 100) with a slash line of .226/.261/.329.
This trade was a home run for the Cubs and Crow-Armstrong is poised to patrol center field at Wrigley Field for a long time.
Mets get: SS/2B Javier Baez and RHP Trevor Williams
Cubs get: OF Pete Crow-Armstrong