Chicago Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong couldn't believe the New York Mets traded him in 2021.

"I didn't feel like I was a part of any trade talks that I had seen on TV or anything like that," he said during an interview with Chris Rose that was published Monday. "Because I was hurt during that time. I had a sling on my shoulder. … I thought it was a joke."

He explained he heard he was traded from someone in the background of the clubhouse when he was on a FaceTime call.

However, he also pointed out, "I don't want to put the Mets on blast because I loved my time there."

Chicago traded Javier Báez and pitcher Trevor Williams to the Mets in 2021 for Crow-Armstrong, who was New York's fifth-best prospect in the MLB.com rankings at the time. The Cubs also traded Anthony Rizzo and Kris Bryant, among other moves, that summer as they shifted away from the core that won the organization its first World Series in 108 years in 2016.

During his time with the Cubs, Báez's resume included the World Series title, a National League Championship Series MVP, a Silver Slugger, a Gold Glove, two All-Star selections and a runner-up finish in the 2018 National League MVP vote.

He was a fan favorite, and it was no small thing to move him. He played just 47 games for the Mets and put up solid numbers with a .299/.371/.515 slash line, nine home runs and 22 RBI.

However, he has struggled to replicate that earlier success during his last three seasons on the Detroit Tigers and is hitting just .184 this season.

As for Crow-Armstrong, he has played his way into a regular role with the Cubs and is slashing .239/.290/.404 with 10 home runs, 46 RBI and 27 stolen bases this season. The improvement has been obvious, as he hit .314 in August and is hitting .289 in September while playing excellent defense and bringing speed to the basepaths.

The 22-year-old is the only rookie in the league with 10 home runs and 25 stolen bases this season and figures to be an important part of the Cubs' future.

Even if he expected to be an important part of the Mets' future not that long ago.