The New York Mets just pulled off a major pivot in what’s been a whirlwind 24 hours for the franchise. After losing out on Kyle Tucker to the Dodgers-a tough blow for a team looking to retool on the fly-they bounced back fast, landing a big name in Bo Bichette on a three-year, $126 million deal. It’s a move that not only adds star power to the infield, but also sets the stage for what could be a significant roster shakeup.
Bichette is expected to take over at third base, and that’s where things get interesting. With Francisco Lindor locked in at shortstop, Marcus Semien at second, and Jorge Polanco at first, the Mets’ infield is suddenly crowded-and that puts Brett Baty in a tough spot. Baty, once seen as a cornerstone piece for the Mets’ future, now finds himself without a clear role.
Sure, there’s always the possibility of trying Baty in the outfield, but that’s not exactly a plug-and-play solution. The more natural-and frankly, more beneficial-path might be through the trade market. And right now, the Boston Red Sox could be the perfect partner.
Here’s why: Boston has a need at third base. With Marcelo Mayer potentially shifting to second, Baty could slide right into that third base role and give the Red Sox a young, controllable bat with upside. On the flip side, the Mets could target one of Boston’s most intriguing outfielders-Jarren Duran.
A Baty-for-Duran framework makes a lot of sense on paper. Duran brings speed, athleticism, and left-handed pop to a Mets outfield that could use a jolt.
He’d give New York a dynamic presence in the lineup and a potential long-term answer in the outfield. Meanwhile, Baty gives Boston a solution at the hot corner and fits their timeline.
Of course, this wouldn’t be a straight one-for-one swap. The Mets would likely need to add more to the deal to balance the scales, but the foundation is there.
Before Bichette came into the picture, a Mets-Red Sox trade didn’t really line up. Now?
It’s a different story. The Mets have an extra infielder, the Red Sox have an outfielder the Mets need, and both clubs have motivation to deal.
The big question now is how the Mets view Baty’s future. Is he still part of their long-term vision, possibly as a corner outfielder? Or has the addition of Bichette signaled a shift in strategy, with Baty becoming a key trade chip?
Either way, the Mets have options-and that’s a good place to be. After a tough start to the week, they’ve made a bold move to reshape their roster. If they follow it up with the right trade, this could be the kind of offseason that sets the tone for a serious push back into contention.