1 reason the NY Mets should, 1 they shouldn’t trade each young position player

The Mets should trade Mark Vientos because of his defensive limitations

Clearly not capable of playing third base at a big level, Mark Vientos is bound to, at best, become a first baseman for the Mets. It would require added learning on the job. And with questions about his offensive output, it feels like a risk to go this direction with him.

Vientos’ trade value tanked after being at an all-time high following the 2024 campaign. There doesn’t seem to be any incoming adjustment to make him a valuable defender or even someone we could view as average. On a roster that already has several veterans baby-walking toward regular DH starts, the Mets might want to part with Vientos before trade interest sinks to the ocean floor.

The Mets shouldn’t trade Mark Vientos because he is the only young player to prosper

Whatever the opposite of a sore thumb is, Vientos put it on display in 2024. You don’t just go out and slug 27 home runs with an .837 OPS from out of nowhere. Although he didn’t quite crater down to the level he was in 2023 when we still weren’t sure about whether he could hit in the big leagues at all, his 2025 season should have fans and management unsure of what’s ahead.

Because interest in Vientos might not be great, the Mets can afford to keep him around and see if they can get the most out of him at least once more. They currently have at-bats available for him in some combination of playing both corner infield positions and DH. It’s a calculated risk to put faith in Vientos. Thanks to a potential lack of interest elsewhere, other teams might help the Mets make the decision easy.