3 NY Mets trade pivots involving the previously rejected offer for Brett Baty

3) Brett Baty and A.J. Ewing for Nick Pivetta and Ramon Laureano

The Mets finally get a starting pitcher addition to their roster. Plus, they add a left fielder. It’s a salary dump type of trade in some ways. San Diego doesn’t add the starting pitching help they desire, instead bringing in a new infielder who can have a similar role for them as he would with the Mets. Plus, they get a prospect all while clearing over $25 million from the books.

It may be too hopeful to believe the Mets could pull this off, double-dipping by landing two players coming off of arguably their best seasons. Nick Pivetta has long-been a target of the Mets, rumors dating back to last offseason when he would’ve been the second qualifying offer signee by New York after Juan Soto. They never did make it happen.

Ramon Laureano is far from an ideal left fielder because of how badly he has rated defensively. Then again, look at the two corner infield spots. Run prevention isn’t the lead actress this offseason like we were promised. The Mets put her on the film’s promotional poster then Ghostface arrived before the opening title sequence and she was gone.

I’d guess the Padres would hold out for something different in this trade. However, it does seem to address multiple needs of theirs.

Clearing Pivetta and Laureano’s salary will give them room to add another starting pitcher with a more affordable contract than the nearly $20 million paid toward Pivetta. They get a major league bat with power back and a soon-to-be major leaguer in Ewing who’ll probably debut at some point in 2027 if all goes well.

For this trade to happen, it might require a separate subtraction for San Diego. A player like Jake Croneworth might need to land elsewhere. He has $12.2 million owed to him every season through 2030. Eat some of that salary and be done with him already.