Do the New York Mets need to consider trading for another infielder? And if so, is Mark Vientos the obvious piece of trade bait on the Mets roster?
With the recent Juan Soto injury news, Brett Baty, Ronny Mauricio, and Mark Vientos will all be stepping into a bigger role with the Mets.
A recent hypothetical MLB mock trade by Sports Illustrated.com’s Thomas Carelli features the Mets and Tampa Bay Rays linking in a big swing trade that would send All-Star first baseman Yandy Diaz to the Mets in exchange for Mark Vientos and RHP Raimon Gomez.
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Do the New York Mets Need a First Baseman?
GettyST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA – SEPTEMBER 24: Yandy Diaz #5 of the Tampa Bay Rays takes the field for a game against Toronto Blue Jays at Tropicana Field on September 24, 2023 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Mark Taylor/Getty Images)
Per Carelli, the biggest reason this deal could work is based on the Mets need for a corner infielder at first base:
“The trade is simple on the Mets’ end â they need a 1st baseman. While the team is trying to compensate for the loss of Pete Alonso, it may come to bite them when it matters most. Diaz is not an amazing 1st baseman, but he is average and serviceable in the field. The Mets can get Diaz, who is aging and may demand a big deal, in which the Mets might pay where the Rays wont.”
A 2023 All-Star with the Rays, Diaz has spent the last eight seasons of his 10-year MLB career in Tampa Bay. Over 150 games in 2025, Yandy Diaz netted a bWAR of 3.4 and hit .300 with 25 home runs, 29 doubles, and an OPS+ of 135. Diaz is one of the more underrated hitters in MLB, and a trade to the Mets for Mark Vientos would be a huge get for New York’s lineup.
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Should the Mets Trade Away Mark Vientos?
GettyNEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 21: Mark Vientos #27 of the New York Mets reacts after being ejected in the sixth inning of a game against the Washington Nationals at Citi Field on September 21, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Heather Khalifa/Getty Images)
Mark Vientos plays a pretty big role on the current Mets team, as he’s off to a sizzling start.
This might be good reason to capitalize on his trade value while he’s getting a lot of at-bats. Over 7 games this season, Vientos is hitting .476 with three XBH and 10 total hits in 23 at-bats.
Vientos hit 17 home runs in 2025, but had a semi-breakout with 27 long balls in 2024.
The next couple of months will be the ultimate deciding factor in whether the Mets want to hold on to Vientos or consider swinging a trade for him to improve in other areas.
As for Mets fans, due to the large number of trades in the offseason, there’s going to be no escaping the trade rumors throughout the season, whether good or bad.
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