Mets Facing Roster Crunch as Pirates Eye Brett Baty, Mark Vientos
The Mets’ offseason overhaul has left them with an enviable - and increasingly unsustainable - surplus of infield talent. Even after dealing Jeff McNeil to Oakland and shipping top prospect Luisangel Acuña to Chicago in the Luis Robert Jr. blockbuster, the infield depth chart is still jam-packed. That’s good news in theory, but as spring training inches closer, it’s becoming clear that something has to give.
Brett Baty, Mark Vientos, and Ronny Mauricio are all young, big-league-ready bats, but they’re stuck behind a lineup stacked with expensive veterans and win-now pieces. That kind of positional logjam doesn’t just sort itself out - it forces decisions. And now, at least one team is circling.
The Pittsburgh Pirates have reportedly expressed interest in Baty and Vientos, both of whom would fit the Pirates’ need for young, controllable power. From Pittsburgh’s side, it makes perfect sense - they’re still building, and adding a cost-controlled slugger with upside is exactly the kind of move that can accelerate a rebuild.
But the Mets hold the leverage here. They’re not in a rush, and they don’t need to sell low.
Baty offers a more well-rounded profile. He’s shown steady offensive development and brings more defensive value at third base.
He might not have the same jaw-dropping power as Vientos, but his floor is higher, and his game is more complete. Vientos, on the other hand, is the classic upside swing.
His raw power is undeniable, and he’s under team control for the long haul. Even after a dip in production in 2025, teams see the ceiling - and that’s why he’s still drawing interest.
For the Mets, the decision isn’t just about who to keep - it’s about what they can get in return. With a bullpen that still needs reinforcements, especially if this team is serious about making noise in October, flipping one of these young bats for a high-leverage arm could be the kind of move that pays off when it matters most. The front office, led by David Stearns, has to thread the needle: cash in on surplus without sacrificing too much future value.
Clay Holmes Sharp in Early Bullpen Session, Praises New Rotation Leader
Down in Port St. Lucie, the tone feels a little different this spring.
The Mets aren’t riding the high of hype or offseason headlines - they’re showing up with something to prove. After last year’s 83-79 finish, a season that started hot and fizzled down the stretch, there’s a clear sense of urgency.
No one’s coasting. The margin for error is gone.
Clay Holmes is already on the mound, getting a head start on what could be a pivotal season for him and the Mets. After making the jump from closer to starter in 2025, Holmes answered a lot of questions.
He logged over 165 innings with a mid-3.00s ERA, showing he could handle the workload and keep hitters off balance over multiple turns through the lineup. Fatigue crept in late, sure, but the experiment worked - and now, the Mets are treating him like a real part of the rotation, not just a stopgap.
Holmes has also taken notice of the newest addition to the staff: Freddy Peralta. Acquired to be the ace the Mets have lacked, Peralta brings more than just numbers - he brings presence.
Coming off a dominant season in Milwaukee, he arrives in Queens with the kind of stuff and swagger that can set the tone for an entire pitching staff. And with Holmes slotting in behind him, the Mets suddenly have a top-end duo that can go toe-to-toe with any rotation in the National League.
Add in improved depth and a retooled lineup that’s built to avoid the late-inning collapses that plagued them last year, and there’s real reason for optimism. The expectations are high - and this time, so is the accountability.
A.J. Minter Could Be a Game-Changer - If He Stays on the Field
A.J. Minter’s first season in a Mets uniform didn’t go according to plan.
After flashing elite stuff in limited action, his year was cut short by a torn lat muscle that ended things before he could fully settle in. But even in that small sample, the Mets saw why they brought him in - swing-and-miss stuff, poise in high-leverage spots, and a cutter that still baffled hitters even without peak velocity.
Now, heading into 2026, Minter is a bit of a wild card - but one with serious upside. The good news?
Lat surgery isn’t nearly as daunting as elbow reconstruction, and there’s a real shot he’s ready for Opening Day. The Mets aren’t asking him to be a superhero - just a steady, reliable late-inning option.
If he can give them 50-60 innings of sub-3.50 ERA relief, that’s a massive win for a bullpen that needs more stability.
At 32 and coming off surgery, there’s always risk. But Minter’s cutter still grades out as a difference-maker, and if his body holds up, he could quietly become one of the most important arms in the Mets’ bullpen.
He doesn’t need to be the closer. He just needs to be available - and effective - when the game’s on the line.
Bottom Line
The Mets head into 2026 with talent, depth, and expectations - but also with tough decisions to make. Whether it’s choosing between Baty and Vientos, managing Holmes’ continued growth as a starter, or betting on Minter’s health, the front office has little room for error.
This isn’t just about building for the future anymore. It’s about winning now - and making the kind of moves that matter when the lights are brightest.