Javier Baez should be Yankees’ top target in 2022 if Gleyber Torres falters again

The Yankees should target Javier Baez in free agency next year if Gleyber Torres doesn’t have a good 2021 season.

Many fans were unhappy with the defensive play of Gleyber Torres in 2020 and New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman didn’t even commit to the 23-year-old as the shortstop of the future during his end-of-season press conference.

Conventional wisdom suggests that this year’s 60-game sample size was not enough for the Yankees to properly evaluate Torres, so there’s a feeling that the young slugger will remain the starter at short in 2021 and get a full 162-game slate under his belt to convince the front office otherwise.

However, if that doesn’t work out, what should the Yankees do? We’ve heard endless chatter about Francisco Lindor, but for some reason another star shortstop who will be a free agent after 2021 is being overlooked.

The Yankees should consider Chicago Cubs defensive wiz Javier Baez if the team lets him hit the open market.

"“Had Major League Baseball not shut down spring training at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Báez might have already signed the long-term contract that would keep him a Cub for the rest of his career,” writes Patrick Mooney of The Athletic.“Báez probably should revisit those extension talks with the Cubs this winter, because he’s positioned to be one of at least five All-Star shortstops who could be available the following offseason, a group that includes Francisco Lindor, Corey Seager, Carlos Correa and Trevor Story.”"

What’s notable here is that the Cubs left the door open after halting extension talks with El Mago, and while he does reportedly love life in Chicago, he may not want to sign a deal after a poor offensive showing during the shortened season. He did win a Gold Glove, but his offense featured a career-worst .203 average and .599 OPS across 59 games.

The Cubs, another team flush with money, played the cheap route and used the pandemic as an excuse, and they’ve already seemingly fractured their relationship with former MVP Kris Bryant. What’s also important to realize? Baez, Bryant, Kyle Schwarber and Anthony Rizzo will all be free agents after 2021, so the Cubs will be in big trouble.

It’s clear Baez is likely their top target to retain, but why would he want to stay when it’s clear at the very least two of those key core players will be gone? That’s where the Yankees should capitalize, assuming Torres falters at shortstop again, and offer him a tremendous win-now situation as he enters his age-29 season.

Baez is one of the best defensive shortstops in baseball and, if not for a really rough rookie campaign coupled with his efforts during the shortened season, he’s a career .281 hitter, can steal bases, and has a ton of power.

At this point, it feels like Lindor, Corey Seager (World Series MVP) and Carlos Correa are going to steal all the headlines when free agency arrives next year. The Yankees scooping up Baez while everyone’s fussing over those studs could be the move to make.

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