Mets Trade Rumors: Which third baseman makes the most sense?

Three third basemen have appeared in offseason New York Mets trade rumors. Which makes the most sense?

Even after their blockbuster deal with the Cleveland Indians, New York Mets trade rumors don’t appear to be completed. There are still plenty of rumblings. While some have settled down, there are still talks about the team pursuing third base help.

Right now, the team looks ready to enter the season with J.D. Davis at the hot corner. I wouldn’t be so sure. Davis isn’t a very good defender. If you listened to Sandy Alderson’s recent appearance on Carton & Roberts on WFAN last week, you will have also noticed how long he paused when asked about Davis’ future with the club.

Given these factors and more, any Mets trade rumors involved a third base upgrade should be taken with a little more than a grain of salt. I do think they’re going to at least seriously explore the possibilities. First, let’s contemplate which third baseman makes the most sense in New York.

Nolan Arenado

It must be hard to root for the Colorado Rockies these days. They seem to be in perpetual selling mode. Star third baseman Nolan Arenado has been talked about in plenty of rumors. This offseason, he joined the Mets trade rumors bundle.

Arenado is probably the best and most consistent of the three on this list. Scratch that. He is the best.

A three-time home run champion, eight-time Gold Glove winner in every season of his big league career, and a guy you can usually count on to finish in the top 10 of the MVP vote, Arenado is one of the game’s best.

Considering this, why wouldn’t the Mets want to pursue?

Arenado is signed to a huge deal through the 2026 season which would take him up to his age 35 season. It’s not so ridiculous but the money is. He’ll make $35 million from 2021-2024 with a slight decrease in the final two remaining years.

Additionally, there are bonuses. Oh, and most important of all, Arenado has an opt-out after the 2021 campaign. Nobody can ignore this.

If the Mets trade for Arenado, they need to lock him up long-term. It’s the case with many of the trade targets we have seen with this team during the first winter of Steve Cohen.

Desperate to escape this big deal, Colorado might be willing to part with this star third baseman for less than he’s actually worth. Still, it won’t come cheaply. Expect the Mets to pay with at least one of their better prospects and a major league or near-ready MLB player.

Kris Bryant

Another name appearing in recent Mets trade rumors is Kris Bryant. Unlike Arenado, he has actually won an MVP and a World Series.

Also unlike Arenado, Bryant has been a little inconsistent in recent seasons. Partly due to injury, Bryant is a little more of a mystery in terms of what he will produce in the future.

We already know the Chicago Cubs would love to shed some salary. They traded away Yu Darvish this winter at what appeared to be a bargain price. Kyle Schwarber was non-tendered and the core of this ball club has been ripped apart.

Bryant, a player famously held back in his rookie year so the Cubs could gain this extra year of control, is one of the final pieces from their 2016 run still around. He has superstar potential in any given year. On the Mets, he could help round out the infield with some amazing pop and run production.

Certainly a few steps below Arenado and his legendary fielding abilities, Bryant should cost the Mets a minimal amount to acquire—at least from what we might typically think it would for someone with his resume.

Chicago is desperate. While I don’t think they’ll see Bryant at an unreasonably low price, I do see them coming out as the immediate loser in any deal they do make.

The trouble with acquiring Bryant is that he’s a free agent after this coming season. With so many other players they need to consider re-signing or extending, could the Mets even get the most out of him?