{"id":313231,"date":"2021-08-01T01:43:40","date_gmt":"2021-07-31T22:43:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/javier-baez-ready-to-embrace-big-mets-stage-gotta-be-me\/"},"modified":"2021-08-01T01:43:40","modified_gmt":"2021-07-31T22:43:40","slug":"javier-baez-ready-to-embrace-big-mets-stage-gotta-be-me","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/javier-baez-ready-to-embrace-big-mets-stage-gotta-be-me\/","title":{"rendered":"#Javier Baez ready to embrace big Mets stage: ‘Gotta be me’"},"content":{"rendered":"

“#Javier Baez ready to embrace big Mets stage: ‘Gotta be me’<\/strong>”<\/p>\n

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For a team that was coming off a tough loss and the news<\/a> of a Jacob deGrom setback Friday night, the Mets got a welcome shot of Javier Baez on Saturday.<\/p>\n

The club\u2019s big trade deadline prize arrived in Queens less than 24 hours after being dealt by the Cubs and jumped right into the Mets\u2019 playoff chase, batting cleanup and playing shortstop in his Citi Field debut against the Reds.<\/p>\n

Wearing a bright orange Mets shirt, Baez took early batting practice Saturday afternoon to familiarize himself with his new home and was looking forward to embracing the big stage.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s just the way that I play,\u201d Baez said. \u201cI play the same way and I\u2019m the same guy every day. I try to bring that energy to the team, to the clubhouse. There\u2019s not much to say, I just gotta be me, go out there and compete and play hard.<\/p>\n

\"Javier
Javier Baez will bat cleanup and play shortstop in his Mets debut Saturday.<\/figcaption>
Robert Sabo <\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cI know New York\u2019s got great fans. I\u2019ve been seeing it from the other side. Hopefully they\u2019re really excited to have me because I\u2019m really excited to help the team and bring my energy here.\u201d<\/p>\n

Baez will play predominantly shortstop until his longtime friend, Francisco Lindor, returns from his oblique injury \u2014 potentially by mid-to-late August \u2014 at which point he could move around the infield. That figures to include a heavy dose of second base, with manager Luis Rojas calling the idea of Lindor and Baez up the middle \u201cmind-blowing.\u201d<\/p>\n

Whether that turns into a double-play tandem for years to come with the Mets remains to be seen. Lindor signed a 10-year extension on the eve of Opening Day, after being traded from the Indians in the offseason, but Baez is currently set to become a free agent after this season.<\/p>\n