The New York Mets made headlines last week by signing Bo Bichette, a move that raises more questions than it answers-especially when it comes to roster construction. Bichette’s arrival in Queens adds another layer to an already crowded infield picture, and it’s starting to feel like the Mets are stockpiling bats without addressing the elephant in the room: a starting rotation that still needs serious help.
Bichette is expected to slot in at third base, which immediately puts a squeeze on Brett Baty and Mark Vientos-two young hitters who were already jockeying for playing time. Baty does bring some positional versatility with his ability to play second base, but that only adds to the logjam rather than solving it. The Mets now have more infielders than they know what to do with and still haven’t made a meaningful move to strengthen a rotation that struggled mightily last season.
So where does that leave them? Possibly in the trade market.
But if you're thinking Cincinnati, pump the brakes. The Reds, on paper, might seem like a logical trade partner-they’ve got young arms and could use a bat-but the fit isn’t as clean as it looks.
Cincinnati’s infield is already overflowing with talent. Ke’Bryan Hayes, Sal Stewart, and Spencer Steer are all capable of starting, and one of them is already ticketed for DH duty.
Elly De La Cruz has shortstop locked down, and the Reds are still invested in Matt McLain at second base, especially now that he's further removed from shoulder surgery. Simply put, they don’t need another infielder.
But there’s another team that makes a lot more sense here-the Toronto Blue Jays.
Toronto is facing a roster crunch of its own, particularly when it comes to finding at-bats for a crop of versatile, emerging hitters. And just like the Mets, they could use another dependable starter.
They made a major splash early in the offseason by handing Dylan Cease a seven-year, $210 million deal, then added KBO standout Cody Ponce. Shane Bieber, Trey Yesavage, and veteran Kevin Gausman round out the projected rotation.
That group looks solid on paper, but there are real durability questions. Bieber has struggled to stay healthy and is coming off Tommy John surgery.
He also dealt with forearm tightness late last season, which is never something you want to see from a guy you’re counting on to eat innings. Yesavage has electric stuff and big-game experience, but he’s just 22 and still hasn’t logged much regular-season action.
Ponce is a wild card-he struggled in MLB, floundered in Japan, and then found his groove in Korea. Which version shows up in 2026 is anyone’s guess.
Then there’s Gausman. He’s been a rock for years, but at 14 seasons deep, you have to wonder how much longer he can keep defying Father Time.
The other issue? Every one of those starters throws right-handed.
A lefty like Nick Lodolo could bring balance and a much-needed layer of stability to that rotation. And that’s where the Reds and Blue Jays could find common ground.
Toronto has the kind of young, controllable bats that would be a better fit for Cincinnati than anything the Mets can offer. Addison Barger is the headliner-a 26-year-old lefty bat with pop (21 homers last season) and positional flexibility.
He can play third base or either corner outfield spot, and he’s under team control through 2030. That’s the kind of player a team like the Reds, who are trying to build sustainably, should be targeting.
Davis Schneider is another name to watch. He brings power (11 home runs in 82 games) and elite plate discipline, boasting a 15.9% walk rate in 2025.
He’s capable of playing second base or the outfield and still has four years of team control. That’s a valuable piece for any club looking to solidify its lineup while maintaining long-term flexibility.
Then there’s Joey Loperfido. He’s the least proven of the trio but might also be the most intriguing upside play.
In limited action last season, he slashed .333/.379/.500 across 104 plate appearances. He’s played just about everywhere-first, second, and all three outfield spots-making him the kind of Swiss Army knife every team covets.
The Mets’ young bats are interesting, no doubt. But when it comes to fit, Toronto’s trio of Barger, Schneider, and Loperfido checks more boxes for what Cincinnati needs. They offer outfield depth, positional flexibility, and years of team control-exactly the profile the Reds should be targeting if they’re going to part with a young arm like Lodolo.
And with Toronto already adding Kazuma Okamoto and reportedly eyeing Cody Bellinger after missing out on both Kyle Tucker and Bo Bichette, their young hitters could soon find themselves squeezed for playing time. That makes a trade not just possible-it makes it likely.
Bottom line: If the Reds are looking to turn pitching depth into lineup help, the Blue Jays-not the Mets-might be the team to call.