3 NY Mets players whose lack of success could force a trade deadline upgrade

The New York Mets went into the 2025 season expecting to have some midseason upgrades to make. What team doesn’t? As per usual, the team would be in the market for some bullpen arms, maybe a bat or two, a bench piece here and there, and additions in places where mass casualties have been placed on the IL.

Fully aware the Mets are on the prowl for a lefty reliever after getting just 11 innings from A.J. Minter, it’s the performance of a few other players that could force the team to add to the roster. Although their jobs aren’t in serious jeopardy at the moment, moving them down the depth chart or reducing their playing time is a real possibility.

Most important of all, the Mets’ plans have gone a little sideways because of how poorly each of these three players has performed. An honorable mention should go out to Tyrone Taylor, but he doesn’t quite qualify because he never should have been thrown into such a massive flame of fire. As a backup forced to step into a more regular role, we accept anything he can deliver. His defense alone adds value. Meanwhile, these other three Mets were supposed to be far bigger contributors and aren’t.

1) Mark Vientos is making a third base upgrade for the Mets a realistic goal

This is the most unfortunate turn of events. Mark Vientos was meant to be right there in the middle of the Mets batting order, clobbering home runs, and chasing awards. His breakout year in 2024 included clutch moments aplenty. Memorable postseason home runs to finish off a great and powerful regular season only made it a surer bet he’d remain an essential part of the lineup moving forward.

Sadly, Vientos has slumped throughout the year. All of his numbers are down. His OPS is about 200 points lower. The lack of home run power is the main reason why.

Fans were able to excuse Vientos’ bad defense because of the threat of the long ball. Non-present for much of 2025, he feels like the slow-moving and stiff player he was in 2023 when the Mets were uncommitted to him. This isn’t his sophomore year but it feels like a sophomore slump.

Names like Eugenio Suarez have highlighted fans’ wish lists for the MLB trade deadline. On a team with an abundance of third base options with youth on their side, it’s a shame none have truly picked up where Vientos left off. Brett Baty and Ronny Mauricio have both hit better than him while playing superior defense as well. Neither appears to be the greatest solution at third base, though. With second base regularly unmanned because Jeff McNeil has turned back into a super utility guy with lots of reps in center field, the Mets routinely need to shuffle the depth chart around.

If the Mets add a third baseman at the trade deadline, let it be someone who can hit. Vientos will have his opportunities as a DH while Starling Marte and Jesse Winker are on the IL. If all the Mets end up doing is upgrading in center field with someone like Cedric Mullins, move McNeil to second base full-time, and carousel through the young players at third base, how much better have they really gotten?