Could the Mets’ Infield Shuffle Open the Door for a Reds Trade? Mark Vientos Might Be the Key
The Cincinnati Reds didn’t land Kyle Schwarber during the MLB Winter Meetings - a swing and a miss that stung a bit for a team looking to inject more power into its lineup. But just because free agency didn’t deliver doesn’t mean the Reds are out of options. In fact, a recent move by the New York Mets might have quietly opened the door for a trade that could be right up Cincinnati’s alley.
The Mets, still reeling from the loss of longtime slugger Pete Alonso, responded by inking infielder Jorge Polanco to a two-year, $40 million deal. Polanco, who spent last season with the Seattle Mariners, is expected to slide into first base and also serve as the designated hitter come 2026. It’s a bold pivot - and one that could have ripple effects across the Mets’ roster.
With Polanco now in the mix, New York’s infield suddenly feels a little crowded. Jeff McNeil is already known to be available via trade, and now there’s growing buzz that Mark Vientos could be on the move too. If that’s the case, Cincinnati should be picking up the phone.
Why Vientos Makes Sense for Cincinnati
Mark Vientos isn’t a natural third baseman - and that’s perfectly fine for the Reds. They’re already set at the hot corner with Gold Glover Ke’Bryan Hayes anchoring the defense. What the Reds do need is a designated hitter with some pop, and Vientos fits that mold.
Last season, Vientos slashed .233/.289/.413 with 17 home runs and a 97 wRC+. Not eye-popping, but there’s more under the hood.
Just a year earlier, he posted a .266/.322/.516 line with 27 homers and a 127 wRC+. That’s the kind of production that turns heads - especially when paired with advanced metrics that paint an even more promising picture.
Vientos ranked in the 70th percentile or better in hard-hit rate, average exit velocity, and barrel rate. In short: when he connects, he does damage. His walk rate (6.5%) could use some improvement, but the raw power is there, and it’s legit.
The Contract Situation: Team-Friendly and Flexible
Perhaps the most attractive part of a potential Vientos deal for the Reds? The price tag.
Vientos is still pre-arbitration eligible and won’t hit free agency until after the 2029 season. That means he’s playing at the league minimum for the foreseeable future - a huge win for a team like Cincinnati that’s trying to stay competitive without stretching the payroll.
Four years of team control at a bargain rate gives the Reds flexibility and time. They wouldn’t be locked into a long-term commitment, but they’d have a cost-effective power bat with upside - the kind of low-risk, high-reward play that Reds GM Nick Krall has made a habit of pursuing.
Is Vientos a Perfect Fit? Not Exactly - But That’s Not the Point
Let’s be clear: Vientos isn’t a plug-and-play superstar. He’s not going to walk into Great American Ball Park and instantly transform the lineup.
But he doesn’t have to. What he offers is a blend of affordability, power potential, and team control that’s hard to find on the open market - especially with the Reds operating under financial constraints.
In a free agent landscape that’s already thinned out, a trade for Vientos might be one of the most practical paths forward for Cincinnati to add impact without giving up top-tier prospects or breaking the bank.
So while the Reds may have missed out on Schwarber, all eyes should now turn to the Mets. If Vientos is indeed available, Cincinnati has every reason to get involved. This could be a quietly savvy move - the kind that doesn’t make headlines in December but pays dividends come July.