The New York Mets‘ season has had its ups and downs, but the team is exactly where it wants to be. They currently sit in first place in the NL East and are in a prime position to earn a first-round bye. Juan Soto has picked it up after a slow start to the season, and the Mets’ pitching staff holds the best ERA in the National League. The starting rotation has been the bright spot for this team, but they’ve unfortunately sustained a couple of injuries and could add some depth there. Along with pitching, they could add an outfielder.
Ultimately, this team is competing to win the World Series, and because of that, they are willing to move some of their best young assets.
Mets’ Trade Rumors
Andy Martino of SNY reported that “The Mets have been discussing Mark Vientos in trade talks this week, and rival executives believe that the team is willing to move him, league sources say.”
Vientos being on the trade block shouldn’t be surprising. While he broke out last season with a .838 OPS and 27 home runs, Vientos has struggled this year. He has a .655 OPS and has put up negative seven OAA (outs above average) at third base. It’s been a disastrous 2025 for the youngster, so why would other teams be after him?
Why Mark Vientos is Valuable
To put it simply: talent and team control. Even with Vientos’ poor numbers this year, he’s shown success at the highest level. He ranked 87th percentile in offensive run value last year and had a fantastic hard-hit rate of 46.6%. Then, in the playoffs, he was even better. In 13 games, Vientos had five home runs, 13 RBIs, and put up a .998 OPS. There’s no question that the former Mets’ number three prospect has some serious talent.
Regarding Vientos’ contract, he has four years of team control after this season and is only 25 years old. Teams likely view him as a player who has time to bounce back and become an impact player.
Potential Mets Targets
Martino also would go on to state that the Mets are looking for pitching and a center fielder. There are three teams that stand out as trade partners who could have an interest in Vientos.
Diamondbacks – Eugenio Suarez, Merrill Kelly, and Zac Gallen have all been linked to New York. They are all rentals, and getting an infielder with four years of control would be enticing for the Snakes. Third base may not be a position of need, but adding his bat to the heart of the lineup would be massive. Kelly and Gallen would both serve as much-needed depth for the rotation and have veteran experience.
Orioles – Cedric Mullins has come up in trade proposals and would fix the Mets’ center field problem. He has a .732 OPS this season with 15 home runs. While he may not be elite at the plate, he has been a great fielder throughout his career, as shown by his 39 career OAA.
White Sox – The Mets have been reported to be interested in Luis Robert Jr. Apparently, the Sox want Vientos in return. For the Mets to even consider that, Chicago would need to add something to sweeten the deal. Robert has put up back-to-back poor offensive seasons, and even though he has potential, the risk in that deal is too great.
Only time will tell whether or not New York decides to move Mark Vientos. If they do, his potential could come back to bite them. Or, maybe the trade could lead them to their first World Series since 1986.
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