Pittsburgh radio chatter reignited Mets trade speculation, linking Brett Baty and Mark Vientos to a Pirates team searching for third-base stability.
May 28, 2025; New York, New York, USA; New York Mets third baseman Mark Vientos (27) celebrates with New York Mets third baseman Brett Baty (7) after hitting a home run during the third inning against the Chicago White Sox at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Lucas Boland-Imagn Images | Lucas Boland-Imagn Images
On the surface, the fit appears obvious.
The Mets have positional congestion, while Pittsburgh lacks certainty at the hot corner.
Bo Bichette’s arrival reshaped New York’s infield, pushing Baty into utility duties and leaving Vientos without a defined defensive home.
That reality complicates any clean trade scenario.
Vientos at third base remains problematic, given his defensive struggles that haven’t improved consistently.
Baty presents a different issue entirely.
Moving him now affects multiple roster layers.
Baty currently profiles as left-field depth behind Carson Benge while also serving as infield insurance.
Removing him narrows flexibility at three infield spots simultaneously.
That’s a risk the Mets can’t ignore entering a long season.
Any deal would likely involve pitching, where Pittsburgh holds surplus.
Names like Mitch Keller, Braxton Ashcraft, and Bubba Chandler continue surfacing in speculation.
One proposed framework sends Vientos and David Peterson to Pittsburgh for Ashcraft.
That move creates as many problems as it solves.
The Mets would lose a right-handed bat while subtracting rotation depth.
Replacing either would require an additional transaction.
Ashcraft’s control and upside appeal, but he forces a cascading roster adjustment.
Late-offseason trades rarely happen in isolation.
Each move demands another.
Until Framber Valdez’s market resolves, Pittsburgh’s urgency may remain muted.
For the Mets, patience might be the safer play.
Because this isn’t just about trading talent.
It’s about maintaining balance.
And right now, balance is fragile.
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