Reese Kaplan -- Sometimes You Have Too Much of a Good Thing

In the recent comments an in some article profiles the topic has arisen more than once about the Mets’ plethora of infielders and how they will likely use them as trade chips moving forward.  Let’s take a brief look at who is here and how that person could be a fit in a trade.

Jeff McNeil is the most obvious name on the list for the Mets to try to parlay into something else.  He is earning $15.75 million in 2025, again in 2026 and has a team option for the same salary in 2027 vs. a $2 million buyout.  He’s currently age 32, turning 33 next week.  A lifetime .289 hitter despite two down seasons in succession, he’s going to be a bit of a tough sell given his age, lack of power and current health status.  Still, for a team looking to move money of their own, McNeil’s positional versatility and career accomplishments make the lefty hitter moderately appealing (particularly if instead the Mets pay down his salary a bit).

Already called out by Francisco Lindor for his less than stellar effort, the young speedster Luisangel Acuna who usually displays sharp defense is one of those roll the dice type of candidates.  Which Acuna will you get?  He’s nowhere near what his Atlanta brother is, but at the same time others feel he is at best a spare infielder.  The truth likely resides somewhere between these two extremes.  Given his biological pedigree, his minor league accomplishments and his blazing baserunning he is sure to be of interest to most clubs, particularly ones who do not often spend a lot on player salaries (ahem, Miami).

Mark Vientos was quite the story in 2024 but appears to be on that Lindor slow start treadmill for the beginning of 2025.  It’s not like there would be any difficulty in finding a taker for the young man with the big bat and slowly improving defense.  The problem is whether or not the Mets would consider moving him unless the return involved was so significant that it might make sense to do so.  Arguably he would be the highest valued infielder of this collective of a half dozen candidates. 

After a scorching spring training Brett Baty played himself onto the roster which coincidentally happened as it turned out Jeff McNeil would be one of several beginning the year on the IL.  Some felt it was well earned while more cynical types suggested that he’s a AAAA player who can flash his bat now and then but has too long and too often failed to take it to the next level when given the opportunity.  Like Vientos in the first week he’s under .100 in batting and his defense is not exactly what he’d offered in the past at third base. Still, given his high draft position and with the 2025 spring stats on his side he would not be a difficult player to move.

Ronny Mauricio needs to play himself back into the conversation.  Having missed now more than a year of on the field action due to his slow healing from injury, he’s pretty much the forgotten man.  Let’s not forget that he was very much on the brink of breaking through at the end of 2023 and many had him penciled in to play at Citifield in 2024 before he got hurt.  His combination of power and speed is quite appealing but right now his value is nil until he can demonstrate the ability to play 3-5 games per week as he works himself back into establishing athletic condition.  Given that obstacle, he’s likely the lowest valued player on this list right now.

Interestingly the Mets are already experimenting more and more with Jett Williams as a center fielder rather than continuing down the infield path.  Given his strong eye, outstanding baserunning and occasional power he’s making himself into a most attractive commodity.  Still only turning 21, he has thus far had over parts of three minor league seasons 563 ABs which is about a single major league campaign.  In that period he’s hit 14 HRs, driven in 65, stolen 56 and walked 130 times.  The only blemishes on his record are his high number of strikeouts (159) and his minor league career batting average of .252.  Still, he has time to grow and continually gets rave reviews for his play.

So what have we got here if you were in the POBO’s seat? Obviously Jeff McNeil and Brett Baty are open for trades.  Luisangel Acuna might also be in that category due to his on again/off again enthusiasm for the game.  Mauricio appears to be the spare part for the infield as he plays back into full time strength.  Williams is about as off limits as prospects can be given his age and accomplishments.  Vientos is the wildcard as he was on a 40 HR pace given his number of major league and post season at bats last year, but he needs to demonstrate it was not a one-year wonder kind of accomplishment.  Personally I could see him as a young and career DH but I’m not married to well over 30 year old platoon players in that role.