The New York Mets have been anything but quiet this offseason. In fact, they’ve torn down and rebuilt the core of their roster in dramatic fashion.
Gone are longtime staples like Pete Alonso, Brandon Nimmo, Jeff McNeil, and Edwin Díaz. In their place?
A wave of new talent headlined by Bo Bichette, Luis Robert Jr., and Freddy Peralta-moves that signal a clear shift in direction and ambition.
But just when you think the Mets might be done making noise, another twist surfaces.
According to recent reports, the Pittsburgh Pirates have emerged as a surprise suitor for two of New York’s young infielders: Brett Baty and Mark Vientos. Both players, natural third basemen, suddenly find themselves in a bit of a roster squeeze following the Mets’ high-profile acquisitions. With Bichette now entrenched at third and Marcus Semien locked in at second, the path to everyday playing time for Baty and Vientos has become murky.
That’s where Pittsburgh enters the picture.
The Pirates are reportedly engaged in trade talks with the Mets, expressing interest in acquiring one of the two 26-year-olds. While the asking price is said to be steep-and understandably so-there’s a sense that a deal isn't entirely off the table.
Let’s unpack this.
For the Mets, moving either Baty or Vientos wouldn’t be a shock. It’s a numbers game now.
There’s only so much room on the infield, and both players are too talented to be stashed away without a clear role. Sure, the Mets could try to shift Baty to the outfield or rotate one of them into the designated hitter slot, but those are short-term solutions.
What the front office has to weigh is whether keeping both is worth the potential value they could bring back in a trade.
And make no mistake-any deal involving Baty or Vientos would need to bring back more than just a couple of prospects. The Mets are aiming to contend in 2026, not rebuild. So if they’re going to move one of these guys, it’ll likely be for immediate help, or as part of a larger, multi-team trade that upgrades their roster in a meaningful way.
From the Pirates’ perspective, this is a chance to pounce on a situation where talent might be available due to roster crunch rather than performance. Both Baty and Vientos have shown flashes of big-league potential, and a change of scenery could unlock even more. Pittsburgh, still in the midst of its own rebuild, could benefit from adding a controllable, MLB-ready bat to the mix.
That said, the Mets aren’t in a position where they have to move either player. These are young, cost-controlled hitters with upside.
If the right deal doesn’t materialize, New York can afford to be patient. Depth is never a bad thing, especially when injuries and slumps inevitably hit during a 162-game season.
So while this trade chatter remains in the rumor stage for now, it’s worth keeping an eye on. The Mets have already shown they’re not afraid to make bold moves, and with the Pirates sniffing around, there’s at least the potential for another shake-up before Opening Day.
Bottom line: Brett Baty and Mark Vientos may not have a clear starting role in Queens right now, but that doesn’t mean they’re expendable. If a deal happens, it’ll be because it makes the Mets better in 2026-not just because they have too many infielders.