What happened: Chicago Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer originally pursued Francisco Álvarez and Brett Baty during the 2021 Javier Báez negotiations. The New York Mets declined to include those prospects in the transaction. The front office then pivoted to acquire Pete Crow-Armstrong to finalize the agreement.

Why it matters: Chicago eventually settled on Crow-Armstrong while he was recovering from season-ending shoulder surgery. The acquisition ultimately shaped the franchise's current core, yielding a long-term center fielder after the preferred targets proved unavailable.

What to watch: The Cubs are currently tied 1-1 with the Baltimore Orioles in an ongoing matchup. Chicago entered the contest holding a 2-0 series lead over Baltimore.