Trades in baseball can be wild, but for Pete Crow-Armstrong, his trade from the New York Mets to the Chicago Cubs in 2021 took him completely by surprise.
Imagine getting traded while recovering from an injury and finding out not from the team but from a FaceTime call with a teammate.
That’s exactly what happened to Pete, and his story is as unexpected as it gets.
Now, a couple of years later, Pete is a rising star with the Cubs, showing off his skills and proving that sometimes a shocking trade can lead to something great.
Let’s dive into how it all went down and what he’s been up to since.
- Pete Crow-Armstrong was traded from the Mets to the Cubs in 2021, a move that surprised him while he was recovering from an injury.
- He found out about the trade during a FaceTime call with teammate Mark Vientos, who initially thought he might get traded.
- Since joining the Cubs, Pete has become an important player, especially known for his defense and speed, with his offense steadily improving.
The Unexpected News: “I Thought It Was a Joke”
In a recent interview with Chris Rose on the Rose Rotation, Pete Crow-Armstrong opened up about the moment he learned of his trade.
He revealed that, at the time, he had been recovering from a shoulder injury, not expecting to be part of any trade talks.
“I didn’t feel like I was a part of any trade talks that I had seen on TV or anything like that. Because I was hurt during that time. I had a sling on my shoulder. … I thought it was a joke,” Crow-Armstrong recalled.
Pete Crow-Armstrong thought it was a joke when he was first told that the Mets traded him pic.twitter.com/W68OZCiUjA
— Chris Rose Sports (@ChrisRoseSports) September 16, 2024
Funnily enough, he found out the news from a Mets teammate, Mark Vientos, during a FaceTime call.
Pete and Mark had thought Vientos might be traded, so they agreed to call each other if anything major happened.
But during the call, things got awkward when someone in the background of the Mets clubhouse said, “Pete Crow just got traded?”
That’s when Pete realized the news was about him. He started getting notifications on his phone, confirming he was headed to the Cubs.
Reflecting on that day, Pete made it clear that he had no hard feelings toward the Mets: “I don’t want to put the Mets on blast because I loved my time there.”
The Trade That Redefined the Cubs’ Rebuild
The trade that brought Pete Crow-Armstrong to the Cubs was part of a major shakeup for Chicago in 2021.
In that pivotal move, the Cubs traded beloved star Javier Báez and pitcher Trevor Williams to the Mets in exchange for Crow-Armstrong.
According to MLB.com, Crow-Armstrong was the Mets’ fifth-best prospect at the time and was highly regarded for his defensive abilities and future potential.
That summer, the Cubs made several major moves, including trading key players like Anthony Rizzo and Kris Bryant.
In a clear turning point, the team was moving away from the core group that led them to their first World Series win 108 years back in 2016.
Javier Báez, in particular, had been a fan favorite with an impressive resume that included a World Series title, a National League Championship Series MVP, and two All-Star selections.
Despite this, he only played 47 games for the Mets before moving on to the Detroit Tigers, where he has struggled in recent seasons, batting just .184 in 2023.
For Pete, though, the trade gave him a fresh start, and he quickly showed the Cubs they made the right choice.
Pete Crow-Armstrong’s Growth with the Cubs
Since joining the Cubs, Pete Crow-Armstrong has become a key team player.
In the 2023 season, the 22-year-old outfielder put up impressive numbers, batting .239/.290/.404 with 10 home runs, 46 RBIs, and 27 stolen bases.
His speed, defensive skills, and improving hitting made him a valuable part of the team’s lineup.
But Pete’s progress was especially noticeable in August and September of 2023, where he hit .314 and .289, respectively.
By the end of the season, Pete had become the only rookie in the league to hit 10 home runs and steal 25 bases.
While Crow-Armstrong is still developing, particularly in terms of his offensive consistency—he often bats eighth in the Cubs’ lineup—his potential is clear.
At this stage, his exceptional defense and growing prowess at the plate make him a valuable part of the Cubs’ future plans.
Despite the Mets’ high hopes for him as part of their future, Crow-Armstrong has found his stride in Chicago, proving that the Cubs made a wise investment.
Today, Crow-Armstrong is a rising star for the Chicago Cubs and an important building block for their future.
Interestingly, his unexpected trade story and development show just how unpredictable Major League Baseball trades can be. It also highlights the importance of perseverance when dealing with uncertainty.
As Crow-Armstrong continues refining his skills, Cubs fans have plenty of reason to be excited about the future.
