Cubs' Jed Hoyer Reveals Team Almost Didn't Acquire Pete Crow-Armstrong

Cubs’ Jed Hoyer Reveals Team Almost Didn’t Acquire Pete Crow-Armstrong originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

The Chicago Cubs, back in 2021, made a move that changed the course of franchise history. In a deal with the New York Mets, the Cubs sent Javier Baez and Trevor Williams for top prospect Pete Crow-Armstrong.

A few years later, Crow-Armstrong is dominating the baseball world. His production at the plate, on the base-paths, and in the field has been nothing short of outstanding.

The man who traded for Crow-Armstrong, Jed Hoyer, went on MLB Network to discuss the Cubs. He was asked about the Crow-Armstrong trade back in 2021, and Hoyer revealed the Cubs almost didn’t acquire Crow-Armstrong from the Mets.

“We were fortunate,” Hoyer said. “He only played six games that year because he hurt his shoulder, and I think when he hurt his shoulder, he was sort of out of sight, out of mind for the Mets. They said no on a number of really good prospects [Francisco] Alveraz, [Brett] Baty, and ultimately we settled on Pete, and we’re really glad that we got him.”

Out of the three options the Cubs tried to acquire from the Mets, Crow-Armstrong has been the best by far. Alveraz is struggling a lot this year, as he has a .676 OPS with only two home runs. Baty has been better in 2025 for the Mets, but before that, he had struggled to maintain a spot on the MLB roster.

Chicago Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong (4) receives congratulations from teammates after he hits a home run in the seventh inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park.Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

But for the Cubs, Crow-Armstrong has been a revelation in 2025. Through the first 67 games of the season, Crow-Armstrong has 72 hits, 16 doubles, three triples, 17 home runs, 55 RBIs, and 50 runs scored across 266 at-bats. Crow-Armstrong also has stolen 21 bases, being caught just three times.

His slash line of .271/.305/.545 has led to an impressive .850 OPS in his third season at the MLB level, and second season as a full-time starter. Crow-Armstrong has emerged as one of the Cubs’ best players, and he almost wasn’t a member of the team.

If not for his shoulder injury and the Mets’ reluctance to trade either Baty or Alveraz, the Cubs would be without Crow-Armstrong, a scary thought after his dominant start to the 2025 season.

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 11, 2025, where it first appeared.

Cubs’ Jed Hoyer Reveals Team Almost Didn’t Acquire Pete Crow-Armstrong

Tags: