How these 3 MLB teams avoided a NY Mets trade and improved a positional weakness

MLB.com recently took a look at different positional upgrades several teams made from last year to this season at some of their biggest weaknesses. The list includes some aid from health. Mike Trout has helped the Los Angeles Angels in center field. Yordan Alvarez has improved the Houston Astros’ DH spot. The New York Mets, with little or no improvement at all, failed to make the list.

However, if you have a good memory for all of the offseason Mets rumors, you may see a connection. Three of the vastly improved positions had a Mets trade candidate as a potential solution. The “other guys” lucked out. Without making a deal with the Mets, they’ve managed to improve a positional weakness.

These teams are probably glad they upgraded with someone other than a Mets player

1) White Sox said “no” to Mark Vientos at first base

Munetaka Murakami is proving 29 teams foolish for not taking a chance on him. One of the league’s best power hitters thus far, questions about his transition from Japan to MLB have been squashed already.

Shortly after the season began, it was revealed that the Mets wanted to trade Mark Vientos to the Chicago White Sox for Luis Robert Jr. A trade that would’ve probably had some of the same effects with neither club satisfied, the White Sox appear to have lucked out more with the first baseman they chose instead. It doesn’t matter if Luisangel Acuna doesn’t pan out. A worse situation would’ve been not having Murakami.

2) Pirates found a second baseman not named Jeff McNeil

The Pittsburgh Pirates and Mets were connected in several trade scenarios. Before he went to the Athletics, there were rumors of the Pirates having an interest in Jeff McNeil. While he hasn’t had a horrific year, the powerful bat of Brandon Lowe has proven itself to be of great value to them.

Lowe is a very different player than McNeil. His bat does most of the talking. An OPS separated by about 100 points with McNeil in the rear, the Pirates should be satisfied with what they have as opposed to what they could’ve received with McNeil.

3) Tigers used internal options at third base instead of trading for Brett Baty

The Mets kept Brett Baty and made him into their new Jeff McNeil. As reported by SNY’s Andy Martino before taking a new gig, the Detroit Tigers had expressed past interest in Baty. Surely, it hadn’t all gone away.

The Tigers have made it this far with Colt Keith and rookie Kevin McGonigle splitting third base, the latter now moving over to shortstop in place of the injured Javier Baez. Both are off to great starts while Baty continues to flounder around the field as a utility man whose bat should be sponsored by icy-hot.

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