First, they were traded for each other.

Now, they’ll be on opposite sides for the MLB All-Star Game. 

Nearly four years ago, Pete Crow-Armstrong and Javier Báez were exchanged in a trade between the Mets and Cubs. On Wednesday, both players were announced as starters for the All-Star Game, now representing the Cubs and Tigers, respectively.

The transaction on July 30, 2021, saw Crow-Armstrong, then a prospect, head to Chicago as the Mets sought to enhance their team with Báez, a skilled infielder and childhood friend of Francisco Lindor, along with pitcher Trevor Williams.

In the 2025 season, both athletes have excelled. Báez experienced a resurgence after initially struggling during his first three years with Detroit. Following a successful 47-game spell with the Mets in 2021, he has successfully reclaimed his status as an All-Star. 

His 2025 includes a .783 OPS and 2.2 WAR, which has put him on course for his best season in four years. 

Báez, who made the All-Star Game this year as an outfielder, joins Pete Rose, Harmon Killebrew and Albert Pujols as the only players to start a Midsummer Classic at three or more positions.

Crow-Armstrong has become one of the game’s best outfielders this season, serving as the only player in the majors with 20-plus home runs and stolen bases this season.

He leads National League outfielders in defensive runs saved with 12. 

Going into Wednesday night, both the Cubs and Tigers are atop their respective divisions.

Addressing the trade in May during an appearance on “Baseball Night in New York,” former Mets general manager Zack Scott said that at the time, he was looking to “add some impact to the lineup.” 

Scott did admit a “bias” regarding Crow-Armstrong because of his previous time in the Red Sox front office, which hadn’t been “that high” on him during the MLB draft. 

“The big thing was the bat,” Scott said. “Loved the defense, the makeup, the speed, had no doubt that that would be there. But did not see this level of power.”