NY Mets rumors: Pirates trade smoke, Mark Vientos predicted to be the one

We’re on day two of the New York Mets rumors carrying us into spring training involving a potential trade with the Pittsburgh Pirates. The two Mets players receiving interest from Pittsburgh, Brett Baty and Mark Vientos, are very different even if they share some of the same qualities.

Aside from the lefty/righty difference, it’s the defense and how good their best seasons were that have them feeling like they have much different values at the moment. Vientos had a far better year in 2024, but it included a down season in 2025. Baty is the more skilled overall player with the hesitation about trading him involving just how useful he can be for this coming year. If not Carson Benge in left field to start the year, it’ll be Brett Baty.

It doesn’t seem like these Mets rumors are going away anytime soon. Pittsburgh Gazette reporter Jason Mackey went into great detail about what he believes is coming next for the Pirates. Maybe most importantly is how he truly believes Vientos will be a member of the Pirates roster by Opening Day.

What could the Mets get back for Mark Vientos?

Mackey named some names, not specifying if it would be for Baty or Vientos. He may value them similarly enough. He tabbed Joey Bart, infield prospect Termarr Johnson, and a low-level pitcher with a preference for Vientos.

It’s a curious trade package. Bart is a catcher who is out of options. The Mets have nothing to do with him as long as Luis Torrens is on the roster. Another middle infielder in Johnson? Unneeded. The low-level pitching prospect isn’t specific enough. You don’t get out of bed for one of those.

This isn’t necessarily what the Pirates would give up, just Mackey’s suggestion. Johnson is a good prospect and yet serves the Mets no real purpose with Francisco Lindor under contract, second base locked up by Marcus Semien, and an abundance of other options coming up through the system as well as future veterans they could add.

At this stage of the offseason, trading Vientos is complicated but not as much as it would be to deal away Baty. Vientos is kind of trapped into first base/DH duties. The Mets can find him regular at-bats. However, trading him would require an addition. Bart certainly isn’t it.

Finding a realistic match for a trade involves multiple moving parts. The Pirates have added to the rotation with low-risk signings of Jose Urquidy and a Mike Clevinger on a minor league deal. One of their younger starting pitchers would feel like a must to get the Mets to give up either Baty or Vientos. Only because the Pirates have swung and missed on so many free agents this offseason does it still feel remotely possible.