The Mets are holding off on finalizing their Opening Day roster as they pursue a trade for a right-handed infield bat.
According to Joel Sherman of The New York Post, the team’s search for additional right-handed depth could send promising prospect Luisangel Acuña to Triple-A to start the season. It’s a move that would reshape the Mets’ bench configuration just days before their season opener.
“The Mets have held off announcing an Opening Day roster, in part, because they are open to adding a righty infield bat, which almost certainly would lead to Luisangel Acuña being sent to Triple-A,” Sherman wrote. “It appears the Mets are comfortable opening the season with Brett Baty on the roster as their second baseman against most righties and a lefty bat off the bench. If the Mets do not secure the infielder in the next 72-ish hours, Acuña will probably start Opening Day against Astros lefty ace Framber Valdez.”
The Mets seem content with Baty handling second base duties against right-handed pitching, but they’re clearly looking for more versatility and right-handed options off the bench. If they can’t complete a deal before Thursday’s opener, Acuña would likely get the nod against Houston’s southpaw starter.
One name to watch is Cincinnati’s Santiago Espinal, who Sherman identified as a potential target. The 29-year-old infielder is making $2.4 million this season with one more year of team control remaining. Espinal brings defensive versatility and some pop, having hit .246 with 9 home runs and 45 RBIs last season.
Acuña, the key return piece in the Juan Soto trade with Texas, has shown flashes of his potential. He hit .235 with 5 RBIs and 3 stolen bases in 51 spring at-bats after hitting .308 with 3 homers in limited action last season. The younger brother of Braves star Ronald Acuña Jr. offers speed and defensive versatility, but the Mets might prefer he gets consistent at-bats in Triple-A rather than sporadic playing time in the majors.
The clock is ticking on any potential deal. The Mets open their 2025 season in Houston on March 27, giving the front office just a few days to either complete a trade or move forward with their current roster configuration.
