NY Mets: No matter what, this team cannot trade Brett Baty

Since the glory days of David Wright passed, third base has been in flux for the New York Mets. Currently, the job has rotated between players like J.D. Davis, Jonathan Villar, and various other versatile infielders.

However, the team cannot afford to have this constant change forever. In fact, it may not be too long before the Mets find a long-term solution at the position. After all, their third baseman of the future is already with the organization.

Who is Brett Baty?

With the 12th overall pick in the 2019 MLB Draft, the Mets selected Lake Travis High School third baseman Brett Baty. Just like that, the countdown for his arrival had begun.

Baty brings a beautiful swing to the table and is capable of slugging to all areas of the field. As of June 13th, he is hitting for a .327 batting average with five home runs and 29 runs batted in through 29 games for the Brooklyn Cyclones.

In other words, the kid can flat out hit. An excellent athlete in the field too, the 6’3” and 210-pound fielder is more than a capable defender too.

That being said, the Mets must hang up the phone immediately if called about Baty during the 2021 trade deadline.

Buying at the deadline

The Mets are a team full of star players, from Jacob deGrom and Marcus Stroman to Francisco Lindor and Pete Alonso. Yet, as they sit in first place in the National League East through the first third of the season, they are likely to be buyers at the deadline.

Behind deGrom, Stroman, and Taijuan Walker, fourth and fifth starters David Peterson and Joey Lucchesi have been extremely inconsistent. Outfielders Michael Conforto and Brandon Nimmo are still battling injuries. Plus, the bullpen can always be stronger.

New York is a legitimate World Series contender if healthy, and there is no reason to believe they won’t be aggressive at the trade deadline. Players like Jose Berrios, Nick Castellanos, and more would take significant assets in return to acquire.

Except, they cannot afford to deal with another potential franchise cornerstone in Baty to acquire talent, i.e. Jarred Kelenic.

Baty is the future of the Mets

Yes, Brett Baty is the future at the hot corner for the Amazins’. But he may also just be the future of the team as a whole.

At the moment, Baty seems destined to hit the majors in 2024 – three years from now. Obviously, a lot can change from now until then, yet he will be key to the Mets remaining a contender for years to come.

2024 is going to be a major year in determining the future of the team. Following that season, Alonso, Davis, Jeff McNeil, and Dominic Smith are set to be free agents. All four, as beloved as they are by the fan base, cannot stay with the team forever.

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New York will be entering a retooling period the same time Baty hits the majors. Should he hit the ground running, the Mets will be set for years to come at the hot corner, and they cannot sacrifice that for any potential trade deadline ac