Mets tried to correct mistake, offered Pete Alonso to Cubs for Pete Crow-Armstrong

When the Chicago Cubs blew it up in 2021, nobody knew what the outcome of the Javier Báez trade would be.

For the New York Mets, it was the worst outcome possible. Báez only suited up for the Mets 47 times, and they gave up superstar centerfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong in the deal.

Crow-Armstrong wasn’t as highly touted as some of the other prospects in New York’s farm system because the bat was a question mark.

Fast forward to now, both Báez and Crow-Armstrong started the 2025 All-Star Game in center field.

The Mets tried to fix their mistake, according to SNY’s Andy Martino.

Martino stated that the Mets called the Cubs about a Pete-for-Pete swap involving Pete Alonso at the 2023 trade deadline.

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“But they felt like, because of what they were doing as an organization, they owed it to themselves to at least take calls on Pete and see if anyone would offer something they couldn’t pass up,” said Martino. “They didn’t get close to anything, but in the Mets’ office, they hatched an idea that was like ‘Let’s just see.’ So they called the Cubs and said, ‘What about Pete (Crow Armstrong) for Pete (Alonso)? Send him back our way.’ Because the Cubs liked Alonso. And obviously, that’s a very short conversation.”

It's a good thing the Cubs didn’t entertain this idea. Crow-Armstrong has blossomed into a star, hitting 25 home runs and driving in 71 RBI while slashing .265/.302/.544 in 95 games en route to his first All-Star Game.

Of course, Alonso is an amazing slugger and a decent defender, but the Cubs have found their first baseman of the future and he’s a better defender than Alonso.

Michael Busch, 27, should have been a first-time All-Star this season. He has 19 home runs and 59 RBI while slashing .290/.375/.550 in 90 games.

It’s crazy to believe the Mets called the Cubs about this swap, but at the same time, Crow-Armstrong is a Most Valuable Player candidate and showing the Mets every day that they made a mistake.

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