The Mets are open to trading Mark Vientos, according to SNY’s Andy Martino. It’s a shift in thinking for a team that watched him mash 27 home runs with an .837 OPS during the regular season, then add five more homers in their monster postseason run.
But that’s baseball. One year you’re a hero, the next you’re struggling to find your swing.
The question now is what they can get for him. FanSided’s James Nolan suggested the Mets could package Vientos to land Merrill Kelly from Arizona. The Diamondbacks starter has been floating around in trade rumors lately, and there’s some logic to it.
“The 36-year-old has pitched to a 9-6 record with a 3.22 ERA. He’ll be a free agent after the season, and Arizona would be foolish to let him go for nothing. They would likely love to have a young player with Vientos’ potential, and the Mets would love to add an arm like Kelly to go all in for this season.”
Kelly’s got a 3.22 ERA across 22 starts this season. That’s exactly the kind of reliable arm the Mets need as they chase the NL East and make their World Series push.
The Math Doesn’t Add Up
Here’s the thing though – a straight Vientos-for-Kelly swap doesn’t make sense for New York. Vientos isn’t hitting free agency until 2030, which gives him real value beyond this season. Kelly’s a rental.
The Mets would want more coming back, and they might get it. Arizona’s got Eugenio Suárez at third base, but he’s also headed for free agency after this year. Either way – whether they trade Suárez or he walks – Vientos could slide right into that spot for the Diamondbacks.
What makes this interesting is the timing. The Mets clearly believe they can make a deep run this year, and they’re willing to move young talent to make it happen. Vientos might be struggling now, but he’s still a valuable trade chip – maybe the exact piece that gets them the arm they need for October.
