3 Mets players who survived the trade deadline but will get dealt this offseason

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.

3) Jeff McNeil

There were quiet rumblings of Mets rumors on MLB trade deadline day about the possibility of trading Jeff McNeil. The tremors weren’t big enough to make a squirrel grab an extra nut for fear of an oncoming earthquake. It was never likely to happen, but his struggles this season alongside all of the other internal options they’ll have barreling up the pipeline should have him on the trade block.

A hot turnaround in the second half has both helped McNeil regain some trade value while giving the Mets a slightly better reason to keep him. But only slightly.

McNeil does bring value to the Mets because of his ability to play multiple positions. A move to the bench would probably destroy his Happy Jeff character forever. We’re not in a glorious age for second basemen. Longtime speculated to have a need and desire for McNeil, the Seattle Mariners, would be an obvious match. Don’t overlook other teams viewing McNeil as an outfield solution either.

It didn’t make sense for the Mets to get so bold as to trade McNeil at this summer’s deadline. In the offseason, it just might.

This team is going to have plenty of other versatility available and at a cheaper cost. Luisangel Acuna and Ronny Mauricio should be options in the infield and outfield. Either one could steal the second base job outright.

If the Mets are serious about investing in their prospects, they’ll pull the trigger and start letting more play next year. Subtracting McNeil from the equation would open up the door for plenty of the young kids.