NY Mets rumors: The complication with a Brett Baty, Mark Vientos trade to the Pirates

Pittsburgh radio host Andrew Fillipponi had the courtesy of delivering us the latest major New York Mets rumors on X on Wednesday. Across the state of Pennsylvania, he said the Pittsburgh Pirates are in pursuit of Brett Baty and Mark Vientos.

It’s an easy conclusion to draw as the Pirates have a need at third base and the Mets have, from a distance, an excess at the position. Bo Bichette has taken over the starting job at the hot corner, pushing Baty into a utility role and Vientos into an undefined one where we figure he plays some first base and DHs often.

The Pirates trading for Vientos to play third base would be odd considering how clear it is that he is a defensive mess over there. Baty? Cutting him loose from the Mets roster has some other consequences.

Trading Brett Baty this late into offseason has major Mets roster implications

Baty is supposed to be the left field alternative to Carson Benge to begin the year. Perhaps this kind of Mets-Pirates trade is something we see closer to Opening Day. Benge winning the left field job out of camp makes Baty a little more expendable. It’s not perfect, though. Baty should be as much a backup at three of the infield positions as well.

The Pirates have pitching to deal. Mitch Keller is always an assumed Mets trade target. Recent Mets rumors indicated they checked in on other Pirates pitchers, Braxton Ashcraft and Bubba Chandler being a pair of controllable young arms.

Rising Apple’s Steve Parello came up with a trade idea that could work in some ways. He sends Vientos and David Peterson to the Pirates for Ashcraft.

The downside to this trade is it takes away an important bat from the Mets lineup (Vientos). It practically requires the Mets to add an outfielder. Austin Hays is no longer available.

Adding Ashcraft would mean subtracting a starting pitcher. Is he better than Peterson? He was last year and with far more control, a lower contract, and a whole lot of potential, it seems like the Mets situate themselves better for the coming year.

Recent Pirates rumors have them aggressively pursuing Framber Valdez. If they come up short yet again in this chase, Peterson is a good consolation prize.

Any trade the Mets make seems like it would require an additional move or two. Trade Baty or Vientos, another bat is needed in some capacity.

It may take a Valdez free agent conclusion for any Mets-Pirates deal to actually go through.