Surviving the MLB trade deadline is one thing. How about a long, cold winter? These three New York Mets players were mentioned in plenty of mock trades leading into the 2024 season and again in the days leading up to the MLB trade deadline.
Able to survive on the roster through the end of July, they won’t be so fortunate in the offseason if staying with the Mets is their goal.
1) Brett Baty
There is only one path for Brett Baty to get back into the majors for the Mets and it involves the departure of Pete Alonso. They aren’t going to slide Mark Vientos into an everyday DH spot especially with Starling Marte on the roster and—let’s dream for a moment—Juan Soto, too.
Mets rumors of teams showing interest in Baty at the trade deadline should have the team revisiting some of those same clubs and shopping him to others. Many more opportunities will be around for the Mets to find a deal they actually like.
Getting sent back to the minors in two consecutive years has hurt Baty’s stock tremendously. The types of offers the Mets might’ve received in the past aren’t there any longer. There is still a lot of intrigue about this former top 100 MLB prospect who has been passed by another on the depth chart and fallen out of the future picture of what feels best for the team. His improved defense this year at least saves him from being completely useless. It was always the bat that was meant to make him a star in the majors.
The Mets will have a couple of options with Baty in the offseason. Package him with others for a star? Deal him for something like a bullpen arm? Make a swap for a player in a similar position elsewhere that more fits a need in Queens?
Surviving the trade deadline in exchange for a two-month rental is one thing. This offseason, when the Mets are going to need to rebuild a pitching staff, will get them to bite.