The Mets’ free agency frenzy won’t include Javier Baez.
The infielder was finalizing a six-year, $140 million deal to join the Tigers on Tuesday, The Post’s Joel Sherman confirmed.
Baez spent the second half of last season with the Mets following a trade from the Cubs. He joined close friend Francisco Lindor, playing second base, and hit well in Queens, finishing with an OPS of .886 in 47 games.
But after the Mets agreed to a three-year, $130 million deal for Max Scherzer – following the free agent signings of outfielders Starling Marte and Mark Canha, as well as infielder Eduardo Escobar – they moved the focus of their offseason to needs other than the infield, such as the bullpen.
Baez would become the third member of this free agent shortstop class to sign before the expected expiration of the collective bargaining agreement, which would lead to a lockout on Wednesday night.
His signing would leave Carlos Correa and Trevor Story as the only two remaining premier unsigned shortstops.
And it means the Mets have an infield of Pete Alonso at first base, Jeff McNeil likely at second, with Escobar at third and Lindor at short. J.D. Davis is another option at third.
Baez heading to Detroit also means the Yankees have one less option to make a big splash in the free agent shortstop market.
They have been among the quietest teams in the sport during this flurry of activity before the impending lockout, with their only major league signing a one-year, $2 million deal to bring back left-hander Joely Rodriguez.
They’ve chosen to sit out the fast-moving starting pitcher market, although they did make Justin Verlander a one-year, $25 million offer.