Here’s exactly how the NY Mets should plan to use Brett Baty if they don't trade him

Plans? What plans? Run prevention didn’t happen in full. The New York Mets seized other opportunities along the way, snatching Bo Bichette on a short-term, high AAV deal to put an exclamation point on the offseason. Then came the addition of Luis Robert Jr. in center field as more par for the course. They then brought in their ace, Freddy Peralta, in yet another fully expected trade we’ve all been predicting since David Stearns got here.

The fallout from the Bichette signing has yet to nuke the roster further with the biggest question being what now happens to Brett Baty. Trade him? Put him in a utility role similar to Jeff McNeil? The latter is the public declaration.

It wouldn’t be exactly like McNeil with one exception. There’s one spot where Baty could conceivably play a lot of the time with additional insurance he can supply at other spots. If there’s a blueprint for how to use Baty, it begins by turning him into a regular at first base while saving him for those emergencies, in case of injury situations at second base and third base.

Brett Baty is the first base depth answer for the Mets we’ve been waiting for

Baty made incredible strides as a third baseman and even showed he can play some second base. The versatility doesn’t quite match McNeil who occasionally played a strong corner outfield. Center field was an adventure at times and asking Baty to do it would be like randomly pulling a fan out of the stands and placing them at the plate then asking them to just make contact. It’s not happening.

On a much smaller scale, Baty can be incredibly useful. First base as his primary position, he’d be the best insurance policy the Mets could ever ask for at second base and third base. Allow him to hone his first base skills while splitting innings with Jorge Polanco. Move him when needed.

Bichette could even turn into a disaster at third base and to have Baty available is a spectacular asset even if it’s for ninth inning defense. Marcus Semien should be able to handle most of second base, but his age suggests he’s one hard run down the first base line away from an IL stint himself.

Brett Baty at first base does require some added movement

The troubling part with this plan is it does negate Mark Vientos. The only way he’d be a match to remain with the Mets is if he plays exclusively against left-handed pitchers with Baty going to the bench. Co-existence is difficult without Baty seeing time in left field. While Baty’s value is high, the Mets should consider trading him. Before Vientos’ value tanks further, they should trade him.

It does seem like either Baty or Vientos ends up being the first base alternative for the Mets. The difference, other than the better season in 2025, is Baty has shown he can play more positions and do it at a major league level. Rawlings has Vientos’ number blocked.

That’s not to say they should hold onto Baty if solutions for other roster holes would involve trading him away. The Mets have Ronny Mauricio, who can play shortstop as well, as an alternative. They’ve bought a little more time for him to develop either as a bench player or in Triple-A to begin the year. The latter would seem to fit their regular motive as sitting around and not playing wouldn’t do enough to fix some of his weaknesses.

The Mets have been here before. Almost exactly one year ago, reports were that Baty and Vientos were ready to play first base for the Mets. This came before the Alonso signing.

Baty in left field would be the defensive twist no one predicted even after the Brandon Nimmo trade. The issue I have there, aside from him having little experience, is the logjam it would create. How does Baty move out of the spot for another left-handed hitter if the team has Polanco and Vientos around, too? We’re already being sold two less odd position changes. We should fully expect the unexpected for the final weeks of the offseason. The club has already endorsed Luisangel Acuna and Jeff McNeil before trading them. Is Baty next to be traded or a regular somewhere?