2 reasons the NY Mets shouldn’t trade Mark Vientos, 1 reason they should

The New York Mets enter the 2026 season at a fascinating crossroads. After the "Grimace-fueled" magic of 2024 led them to the NLCS, the 2025 campaign served as a sobering reality check. Mark Vientos, once the postseason hero who broke franchise records for RBIs in a single playoff run, found himself navigating a sophomore slump that mirrored the team's overall volatility. As David Stearns continues to reshape the roster with high-profile veterans and defensive stalwarts, the question of what to do with "Swaggy V" has become the primary debate in Queens.

The front office has not been shy this winter, completely overhauling the infield and signaling a shift toward a more athletic, "run-prevention" style of baseball. However, power remains the most expensive currency in the game, and Vientos possesses it in spades. As spring training 2026 approaches, the Mets must decide if Vientos is a surplus asset to be cashed in or a vital engine that they simply cannot afford to unplug.

2 reasons the NY Mets shouldn't trade Vientos, 1 reason they should

Selling at an all-time low

In the world of professional sports, the worst move a general manager can make is "selling low" on a young asset. After a 2024 season where he posted a 3.1 bWAR and a .837 OPS, Vientos saw his trade stock dip during a disjointed 2025. He finished the year with a .233 average and a 97 wRC+, per FanGraphs, making him a "below-average" contributor for the first time in his career. Trading him now would likely only net a low impact arm or mid-level prospects. Given that he is still under team control until 2028 and making near the league minimum, the risk of him blooming elsewhere—while the Mets receive pennies on the dollar—is far too high to justify a move.

Elite raw power in a new-look lineup

While his 2025 season was a step back, the underlying metrics suggest the "elite power" never left. According to Statcast, Vientos remained in the 82nd percentile for average exit velocity (91.4 MPH) and a staggering 89th percentile for Hard-Hit rate (50.3%). Even when he struggled to find consistency, his ceiling was undeniable; look no further than August 2025, where he slashed .278/.330/.658 with 8 home runs and a massive .988 OPS. With the recent departure of Pete Alonso to the Orioles, the Mets' 2026 roster is suddenly starved for pure, middle-of-the-order thump. Removing Vientos would leave Francisco Lindor and Juan Soto without the protection of a true power threat.

The defensive liability and infield logjam

The most compelling argument for a trade is the simple fact that Vientos no longer has a "home." The Mets' infield is now a fortress: Francisco Lindor is entrenched at short, Marcus Semien has arrived to man second base, and Bo Bichette has signed a three-year, $126 million deal to play third. With Jorge Polanco also in the mix for first base and DH duties, Vientos is the odd man out. His defense remains a significant liability; in 2025, he posted a -7 Fielding Run Value and ranked in the bottom tier of the league in Outs Above Average (OAA). In a Stearns-led era that prioritizes elite defense, a player who lacks a position and creates a roster logjam might be better served as a trade chip to land the frontline starter the Mets still desperately need.