NEW YORK, NEW YORK – AUGUST 26: Kris Bryant #23 of the San Francisco Giants follows through on his first inning two run home run against the New York Mets at Citi Field on August 26, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
Kris Bryant reminds Mets fans why they should have traded for him.
The New York Mets were looking to bring in a pivotal piece at the trade deadline to help build upon their lead in the NL East. They opted to bring in Chicago Cubs shortstop Javier Baez at the deadline. The team was linked to Kris Bryant in reported trade discussions, and instead watched him go to the San Francisco Giants. And he is making them pay for it.
On Thursday, Kris Bryant stepped up to the plate and knocked a two-run homer into oblivion sending a message to Mets fans everywhere. And it was crystal clear.
Watch Kris Bryant’s two-run homer
That homer off Mets starter Carlos Carrasco gave the Giants an early 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning. This comes a day after he hit a solo home run against the Mets on Wednesday night.
In the final minutes leading up to the deadline, the Giants agreed to a deal with the Cubs to acquire Bryant in exchange for prospects Alexander Canario and Caleb Kilian. Since joining the Giants, he recorded a .273 batting average, a .858 OPS, five home runs and 11 RBI through 21 games.
As for the Mets, they brought in Baez in exchange for outfield prospect Pete Crow-Armstrong to help build a monstrous middle infield alongside Francisco Lindor and to increase their division lead. Things have not gone to plan, as the Mets have fallen to third-place in the NL East prior to first pitch on Thursday. Baez is slashing .196/.260/.370 while recording two home runs, four RBI, six runs scored and nine hits through 13 games. The Mets are currently in third-place in the NL East.
Even after Bryant’s home run, the Mets tied the game in the bottom of the sixth inning on a two-run homer from Pete Alonso. San Francisco got the last laugh, as an RBI single by Darin Ruf in the top of the eighth inning helped lead them to a 3-2 victory.