3 best Mets prospects who will be traded before making their MLB debut

Last season we saw the likes of Francisco Alvarez, Brett Baty, Mark Vientos, and Jose Butto make their debuts for the New York Mets. They didn't exactly light the world on fire like Mets fans hoped, but it was rewarding to see prospects we had heard of so much finally debut in a Mets uniform.

We'll likely see all four of these players again at some point during the 2023 season. There's even a chance we see someone like Baty or Vientos on the Opening Day roster. Alvarez feels less likely.

While it's encouraging to see those guys up, there're other prospects we've heard a lot about who might not get the chance to wear a Mets uniform. With the Mets being a win-now team, prospects can become expendable in the right package. Here are some prospects who could be on the move before debuting with the Mets.

1) NY Mets prospect who will be traded before making his MLB debut: Ronny Mauricio

Ronny Mauricio has been on the chopping block ever since Francisco Lindor arrived in Queens, and the moment he'll get traded might be coming soon. Mauricio is loaded with potential, as we saw with his 450 foot home run.

Giving up a prospect who can do THAT is certainly not easy, but is something the Mets probably should've done by now and will most likely do at some point.

Mauricio is a shortstop who has only played shortstop in the minors. He did play some third base while he played winter ball, and the Mets appear to be willing to move him around the infield a bit, but the infield is already set.

Pete Alonso is at first (not like Mauricio would be a first baseman anyway). Jeff McNeil just signed a contract extension, he's at second. Lindor is at short, and Brett Baty, a higher ranked prospect, is the future at third.

If Baty fizzles out maybe that spot becomes open, but the Mets shouldn't wait that long to see if that happens. Mauricio's only real future as a Met would come in the outfield and he hasn't played an inning there. He's just not a fit.

Hopefully Mauricio continues to show out like he did over the winter and has in Spring Training, because I'm confident he'll be dealt at some point.

2) NY Mets prospect who will be traded before making his MLB debut: Kevin Parada

As much as I don't want this to happen, there's a very legitimate shot Kevin Parada gets traded at some point. The third best prospect in the system and 36th best prospect in baseball according to MLB Pipeline could debut in another uniform. The reason for this, is purely because of the position he plays.

Parada is a catcher. So is Francisco Alvarez. Sure, the Mets could opt to move Parada to a corner outfield spot or something of that nature, but is that the best course of action? Changing positions can impact his bat, and he probably wouldn't be the best outfielder in the world since he is, well, a catcher.

The Mets can get far more value out of Parada if they trade him as a catcher. Good hitting catchers are so hard to find, just ask Mets fans who dealt with watching James McCann and Tomas Nido for the last two seasons.

If Alvarez and Parada both end up becoming the players the Mets expect them to, they'd have two hitting catchers. While that's great, they could flip one, Parada, to land someone who'd actually fill a need.

If Alvarez doesn't hit, Parada likely doesn't go anywhere. I think everyone expects Alvarez to be a stud offensively at some point, and if and when that happens, there won't be room for Parada at his primary position.