Francisco Lindor injury concern reminds the NY Mets of the best move they didn't make

Hold your breath. Light a candle. Do whatever it is you do for the universe to reward you with good news. Spring training hasn’t even officially started and already the New York Mets are sharing some injury concerns about their star shortstop Francisco Lindor.

David Stearns doesn’t sweat through the news. He sounds confident the Mets will have Lindor back before the start of the season. Regardless of this, it serves another reminder of why Brett Baty is so valuable to have around.

Francisco Lindor’s injury concern should put an end to any Brett Baty trade rumors

If the Mets were to begin the year without Lindor, Brett Baty becomes their best option at third base. Bo Bichette is the most experienced at third base. While he has been one of the league’s worst at the position, at least he can play it and make up for any errors with his bat.

Baty is sort of the backup plan all over the field. Third base, second base, and in right field until Carson Benge wins the job or the team says otherwise, We should even see him as someone who gets innings at first base regardless of how well Jorge Polanco may handle the position.

The way the Mets have handled Baty this offseason is unique. He has been replaced at third base, but has since been considered a candidate to take over as their new Jeff McNeil minus the temper. His strong 2025 season at the plate, in particular with the way it finished, has increased his trade value to a point where if you haven’t at least dangled him out there you’d be making a mistake.

Let’s not forget how poorly Baty performed in 2022-2024. Several demotions along the way, the good news is he finished last year strong before an injury. It’s the kind of upward trend you like to see out of a young player. Furthermore, because he handled himself nicely at second base and grew into a competent third baseman, he has the kind of defensive value and power in his bat you can’t easily find.

There was less fallout in the Bikini Atoll during the 1940s and 1950s than there will be if the Mets lose Lindor for any period of time. Although Bo Bichette didn’t get a mention as a potential shortstop option in place of Lindor during this current injury, one would have to imagine they could think differently in the middle of the year.

Meanwhile, Mark Vientos lingers on the roster looking less useful than Baty as an exclusive 1B/DH type. He’ll likely see spurts of chances at third base over the course of 162 games. What’s clear from this Lindor injury scare is the Mets needn’t entertain any more offers for Baty. They’re going to need him in a multitude of ways even if they don’t reap those benefits immediately.