When the New York Mets initially acquired shortstop Javier Baez from the Chicago Cubs, the belief was that once Francisco Lindor (oblique) returns, that Baez would play second base. However, it looks as though the Mets are seriously considering moving Baez to third base when Lindor is back. The main reason being the fact that they believe Jeff McNeil is better at the keystone than the hot corner. Baez has a lot of swing-and-miss to his game and won't help much with batting average or on-base percentage -- he struck out five times on Thursday -- but he has plenty of power (24 homers) and has gone deep twice in his first six games with New York. Along with his speed and upcoming third-base eligibility, Baez remains a must-own in all formats with his new squad.

New York Mets infielder Javier Baez hit his second homer as a Met Wednesday, knocking an Anthony Bass pitch over the fence in right field for an opposite-field solo shot. It was his 24th of the year, and gave the Mets an important insurance run in a 5-3 victory over the Miami Marlins. Baez went 2-for-5 for the game with two runs scored, one of which came on a nifty swim-move slide to evade the tag of catcher Alex Jackson. Baez may swing and miss a lot, but he's an extremely dynamic player, offering a fantasy manager great numbers in every category but batting average.

New York Mets shortstop Javier Baez started his tenure with a 1-for-4 performance which included a sixth-inning, two-run home run. Baez was acquired from the Chicago Cubs just before the trade deadline on July 30 to make up for Francisco Lindor's absence while he recovers from an oblique injury. Their hope is he can get back to his MVP-level of play and improve on his .248/.291/.490 slash line. He's also added 67 RBI, 49 runs, and 13 stolen bases. Fantasy managers should continue playing Baez for the power and speed combo. Expect that once Lindor returns, Baez will still be an everyday player in the infield.

New York Mets shortstop Javier Baez will make his debut with the team on Saturday, as he will get the start at shortstop and bat fourth against the Reds. Baez was acquired from the Cubs during the hectic trade deadline on Friday, and over 91 games with Chicago, he's slashing .248/.292/.484 with 22 home runs, 13 steals, 65 RBI and 48 runs scored. He'll look to continue his recent hot streak when he goes up against Cincinnati, after slashing .333/.350/.526 with three homers, three steals, 13 RBI and nine runs scored over his last 15 games.

The Chicago Cubs have a deal in place to trade shortstop Javier Baez to the New York Mets pending a review of medical records, according to Mark Feinsand of MLB Network. In the short term Baez will figure to take over at shortstop while Lindor remains out with a Grade 2 oblique strain that will keep him sidelined until mid-to-late August. Over 91 games this year, Baez is slashing .248/.292/.484 with 22 homers, 13 steals, 65 RBI and 48 runs scored, and he should provide a solid boost to the Mets lineup.

The New York Mets are in discussions with the Chicago Cubs to potentially acquire shortstop Javier Baez, according to Joel Sherman of MLB Network. Sherman adds that the Mets may also be looking into acquiring a pitcher as well in the deal. The Mets had been looking at Rockies shortstop Trevor Story, but Baez may prove to be a more attainable target for New York to acquire. Over 91 games this year, Baez is slashing .248/.292/.484 with 22 homers, 13 steals, 65 RBI and 48 runs scored, and he could provide a solid boost to the Mets lineup. Keep an eye out for further updates as we approach the final hour before the deadline.

Chicago Cubs shortstop Javier Baez (heel) is starting in Thursday's contest against the Cincinnati Reds. He missed the last three games due to a bruised left heel but is batting fourth and starting at shortstop on Thursday. The 28-year-old has produced in 2021, slashing .245/.289/.483 with 22 home runs, 65 RBI, and 13 stolen bases over 90 games in 2021. Fantasy managers can start Baez with confidence, and he remains a strong option at shortstop in all league formats.

ATLANTA (AP) — Freddie Freeman homered off Yu Darvish in the sixth inning, Touki Toussaint allowed one run and three hits in his season debut, and the Atlanta Braves beat the San Diego Padres 2-1 on Tuesday night. Toussaint, who missed the first 3½ months rehabbing a right shoulder strain, retired the first seven batters he faced before walking Victor Caratini in the third. He didn’t allow a hit until Manny Machado doubled with one out in the fourth. The Padres tied it 1-all in the fourth when Jake Cronenworth was hit by a pitch, advanced to third on Machado’s double and scored on Tommy Pham’s sacrifice fly. Freeman made it 2-1 by taking Darvish deep over the wall in left field with an opposite-field shot, his 22nd homer. Toussaint (1-0) walked two and struck out five in 6 2/3 innings. Darvish (7-4) was making his first start since July 8 after a stint on the injured list due to left hip inflammation. He allowed four hits and two runs with two walks and three strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings.... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — Freddie Freeman homered off Yu Darvish in the sixth inning, Touki Toussaint allowed one run and three hits in his season debut, and the Atlanta Braves beat the San Diego Padres 2-1 on Tuesday night. Toussaint, who missed the first 3½ months rehabbing a right shoulder strain, retired the first seven batters he faced before walking Victor Caratini in the third. He didn’t allow a hit until Manny Machado doubled with one out in the fourth. The Padres tied it 1-all in the fourth when Jake Cronenworth was hit by a pitch, advanced to third on Machado’s double and scored on Tommy Pham’s sacrifice fly. Freeman made it 2-1 by taking Darvish deep over the wall in left field with an opposite-field shot, his 22nd homer. Toussaint (1-0) walked two and struck out five in 6 2/3 innings. Darvish (7-4) was making his first start since July 8 after a stint on the injured list due to left hip inflammation. He allowed four hits and two runs with two walks and three strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings.... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — Freddie Freeman homered off Yu Darvish in the sixth inning, Touki Toussaint allowed one run and three hits in his season debut, and the Atlanta Braves beat the San Diego Padres 2-1 on Tuesday night. Toussaint, who missed the first 3½ months rehabbing a right shoulder strain, retired the first seven batters he faced before walking Victor Caratini in the third. He didn’t allow a hit until Manny Machado doubled with one out in the fourth. The Padres tied it 1-all in the fourth when Jake Cronenworth was hit by a pitch, advanced to third on Machado’s double and scored on Tommy Pham’s sacrifice fly. Freeman made it 2-1 by taking Darvish deep over the wall in left field with an opposite-field shot, his 22nd homer. Toussaint (1-0) walked two and struck out five in 6 2/3 innings. Darvish (7-4) was making his first start since July 8 after a stint on the injured list due to left hip inflammation. He allowed four hits and two runs with two walks and three strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings.... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — Freddie Freeman homered off Yu Darvish in the sixth inning, Touki Toussaint allowed one run and three hits in his season debut, and the Atlanta Braves beat the San Diego Padres 2-1 on Tuesday night. Toussaint, who missed the first 3½ months rehabbing a right shoulder strain, retired the first seven batters he faced before walking Victor Caratini in the third. He didn’t allow a hit until Manny Machado doubled with one out in the fourth. The Padres tied it 1-all in the fourth when Jake Cronenworth was hit by a pitch, advanced to third on Machado’s double and scored on Tommy Pham’s sacrifice fly. Freeman made it 2-1 by taking Darvish deep over the wall in left field with an opposite-field shot, his 22nd homer. Toussaint (1-0) walked two and struck out five in 6 2/3 innings. Darvish (7-4) was making his first start since July 8 after a stint on the injured list due to left hip inflammation. He allowed four hits and two runs with two walks and three strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings.... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today: ___ BELLY UP Cody Bellinger is ready to return from a broken leg that’s sidelined him for nearly two months. Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts says the 2019 NL MVP will start in center field on Saturday and Sunday against San Francisco. Bellinger has been out since April 5 with a hairline fracture in his left fibula. The World Series champion Dodgers went through a rough patch without him but have since won 13 of 15 and sit a half-game behind the NL West-leading San Diego Padres. Dodgers left-hander Julio Urías (7-1, 3.03) is set to face the Giants' Logan Webb (3-3, 4.09). LAUGH IT OFF Inclement weather gave Will Craig a day off to decide how to handle his egregious fielding mistake Thursday. The Pittsburgh Pirates rookie first baseman is going with humor. “I guess I’m going to be on the blooper reels for the rest of my life,” Craig said Friday before the Pirates’ game with the Colorado Rockies was postponed because of rain. The... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Saturday: ___ BELLY UP Cody Bellinger is ready to return from a broken leg that’s sidelined him for nearly two months. Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts says the 2019 NL MVP will start in center field on Saturday and Sunday against San Francisco. Bellinger has been out since April 5 with a hairline fracture in his left fibula. The World Series champion Dodgers went through a rough patch without him but have since won 13 of 15 and sit a half-game behind the NL West-leading San Diego Padres. Dodgers left-hander Julio Urías (7-1, 3.03) is set to face the Giants' Logan Webb (3-3, 4.09). LAUGH IT OFF Inclement weather gave Will Craig a day off to decide how to handle his egregious fielding mistake Thursday. The Pittsburgh Pirates rookie first baseman is going with humor. “I guess I’m going to be on the blooper reels for the rest of my life,” Craig said Friday before the Pirates’ game with the Colorado Rockies was postponed because of rain.... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — The 2021 salaries for the 117 major league baseball players on opening day rosters and injured lists earning $10 million or more. Figures were obtained by The Associated Press from management and player sources and include salaries and pro-rated shares of signing bonuses and other guaranteed income. For some players, parts of salaries deferred without interest are discounted to reflect present-day values. Player, ClubSalary1, Trevor Bauer, LAD$38,000,0002, Mike Trout, LAA37,116,6673, Gerrit Cole, NYY36,000,0004, Nolan Arenado, StL35,000,0005, Max Scherzer, Was34,503,4806, Manny Machado, SD34,000,0007, Justin Verlander, Hou33,000,0008, Zack Greinke, Hou32,921,8509, Stephen Strasburg, Was32,045,25610, David Price, LAD32,000,00011, Clayton Kershaw, LAD31,000,00112, Miguel Cabrera, Det30,000,000(tie) Albert Pujols, LAA30,000,00014, Jose Altuve, Hou29,000,000(tie) Giancarlo Stanton, NYY29,000,00016, Jacob DeGrom, NYM28,131,95517, Anthony Rendon, LAA28,071,42918, Bryce Harper,... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — The Cubs might conduct more thorough background checks when deciding hires in the wake of sexual harassment accusations against former director of pro scouting Jared Porter. President of baseball operations Jed Hoyer called the alleged incidents disturbing and said there's “no place for them in the game." “I think it’s my job to make sure that every woman that works here — every woman that is a reporter for our team, every vendor, everyone that comes through Wrigley Field — has to feel like this is a wonderful environment for them to work in and they have to look forward to being here,” Hoyer said Monday. “That has to be the standard. There can’t be any other standard. It has to be a great workplace for women, and a place that women can thrive.” Porter was fired for cause last month as general manager of the New York Mets after 38 days on the job following a report by ESPN he sent sexually explicit, uninvited text messages and images to a female reporter in 2016 while he... [More]

American LeagueP — Griffin Canning, Los Angeles C — Roberto Perez, Cleveland 1B — Evan White, Seattle 2B — Cesar Hernandez, Cleveland 3B — Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Texas SS — J.P. Crawford, Seattle LF — Alex Gordon, Kansas City CF — Luis Robert, Chicago RF — Joey Gallo, Texas National LeagueP — Max Freid, Atlanta C — Tucker Barnhart, Cincinnati 1B — Anthony Rizzo, Chicago 2B — Kolten Wong, St. Louis 3B — Nolan Arenado, Colorado SS — Javier Baez, Chicago LF — Tyler O'Neill, St. Louis CF — Trent Grisham, San Diego RF — Mookie Betts, Los Angeles

American LeagueP — Griffin Canning, Los Angeles C — Roberto Perez, Cleveland 1B — Evan White, Seattle 2B — Cesar Hernandez, Cleveland 3B — Matt Chapman, Oakland SS — J.P. Crawford, Seattle LF — Alex Gordon, Kansas City CF — Luis Robert, Chicago RF — Joey Gallo, Texas National LeagueP — Max Freid, Atlanta C — Tucker Barnhart, Cincinnati 1B — Anthony Rizzo, Chicago 2B — Kolten Wong, St. Louis 3B — Nolan Arenado, Colorado SS — Javier Baez, Chicago LF — Tyler O'Neill, St. Louis CF — Trent Grisham, San Diego RF — Mookie Betts, Los Angeles

American LeagueP Kenta Maeda Minnesota Twins; Griffin Canning Los Angeles Angels; Zach Plesac Cleveland Indians. C Yasmani Grandal Chicago White Sox; James McCann Chicago White Sox; Roberto Perez Cleveland Indians. 1B Matt Olson Oakland Athletics; Evan White Seattle Mariners; Yuli Gurriel Houston Astros. 2B Cesar Hernandez Cleveland Indians; Danny Mendick Chicago White Sox; Jonathan Schoop Detroit Tigers; Nicky Lopez Kansas City Royals. 3B Yoan Moncada Chicago White Sox; Gio Urshela New York Yankees; Isiah Kiner-Falefa Texas Rangers. SS Niko Goodrum Detroit Tigers; J.P. Crawford Seattle Mariners; Carlos Correa Houston Astros. LF Lourdes Gurriel Jr. Toronto Blue Jays; Alex Gordon Kansas City Royals; Kyle Tucker Houston Astros. CF Ramon Laureano Oakland Athletics; Byron Buxton Minnesota Twins; Luis Robert Chicago White Sox. RF Clint Frazier New York Yankees; Joey Gallo Texas Rangers; Anthony Santander Baltimore Orioles. National LeagueP Max Fried Atlanta Braves; Alec Mills Chicago Cubs; Kyle... [More]

2020— Corey Seager, Los Angeles Dodgers 2019_Howie Kendrick, Washington Nationals 2018_Cody Bellinger, Los Angeles Dodgers 2017_Justin Turner and Chris Taylor, Los Angeles Dodgers 2016_Javier Baez and Jon Lester, Chicago Cubs 2015_Daniel Murphy, New York Mets 2014_Madison Bumgarner, San Francisco Giants 2013_Michael Wacha, St. Louis Cardinals 2012_Marco Scutaro, San Francisco Giants 2011_David Freese, St. Louis Cardinals 2010_Cody Ross, San Francisco Giants 2009_Ryan Howard, Philadelphia Phillies 2008_Cole Hamels, Philadelphia Phillies 2007_Matt Holliday, Colorado Rockies 2006_Jeff Suppan, St. Louis Cardinals 2005_Roy Oswalt, Houston Astros 2004_Albert Pujols, St. Louis Cardinals 2003_Ivan Rodriguez, Florida Marlins 2002_Benito Santiago, San Francisco Giants 2001_Craig Counsell, Arizona Diamondbacks 2000_Mike Hampton, New York Mets 1999_Eddie Perez, Atlanta Braves 1998_Sterling Hitchcock, San Diego Padres 1997_Livan Hernandez, Florida Marlins 1996_Javy Lopez, Atlanta Braves 1995_Mike Devereaux,... [More]

Oct. 13 1903 — The Boston Pilgrims won the first World Series, five games to three, with a 3-0 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates. 1914 — The Boston Braves completed a sweep of the Philadelphia Athletics, first in World Series history, with a 3-1 victory. 1921 — Art Nehf tossed a 1-0, four-hitter against the New York Yankees for the World Series title in eight games. The Giants scored their run in the first inning on an error by shortstop Roger Peckinpaugh. 1960 — Bill Mazeroski opened the bottom of the ninth with a home run off Ralph Terry of the New York Yankees to give the Pittsburgh Pirates a 10-9 victory and the World Series in seven games. 1971 — The first World Series night game was played in Pittsburgh with the Pirates beating Baltimore 4-3. Roberto Clemente had three hits for Pittsburgh. 1978 — New York third baseman Graig Nettles put on a fielding clinic and prevented seven runs as the Yankees beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 5-1 in the third game of the World Series. Nettles made... [More]