PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – When you spend a reported $240 million in a singular offseason, that's going to impact your roster not just for the additions, but the players who may have lost jobs. 93.7 The Fan’s Andrew Fillipponi reports the Mets and Pirates are talking trade with the potential for the Bucs to add one of its two young sluggers.
The asking price is high according to Fillipponi, but the New York players being discussed are Brett Baty or Matt Vientos.
Looking at the Mets projected lineups for 2026, Vientos, who played in 121 games last year, will no longer be a starter due to the offseason additions. The 26-year-old hit .233 last season with a .289 on-base percentage, .413 slugging and .702 OPS. In 463 at bats, 21 doubles, 17 home runs, 61 RBI playing mostly third base along with designated hitter.
In 111 games in 2024, the former second-round pick hit 27 home runs with a .516 slugging and .837 OPS. At 6’3”, 185 pounds, Vientos won’t be arbitration eligible until next year and can’t be a free agent until 2030.
Baty is projected to be the Mets every day designated hitter, the cost likely would be higher for this 26-year-old. Along with his age, his eligibility is the same as Vientos in terms of not being a free agent until 2030.
The 2019 first-round pick is a left-handed hitter (right-handed fielder) who can also play second base. The Pirates added two left-handed hitters in the offseason along with likely starting lefties Oneil Cruz and Spencer Horwitz.
Baty shattered his career high with 18 home runs last year with a .254 batting average, .435 slugging percentage and .748 OPS in 130 games. He’s 6’3”, 210 pounds and has historically struggled against lefties (.200 average, .247 on base and .547 OPS), although hit .247/.678 OPS in 83 at bats.