Pirates target third base; Mets offer Baty. Could young slugger fill Pittsburgh's need, and what prospects would New York demand in return?
The Pittsburgh Pirates are still looking for a third baseman with the beginning of spring training less than a month away. The New York Mets have a surplus at the position after signing free agent infielder Bo Bichette.
Thus, the Pirates and Mets seem like ideal trade partners. The Mets could deal either Brett Baty or Mark Vientos. While Vientos hit 27 home runs in 2024, the left-handed-hitting Baty fits better at PNC Park.
Baty, 26, had the best of his four seasons in the major league last year when he hit .254/.313/.435 with 18 home runs and eight stolen bases in 130 games. Baty had four defensive runs saved in 87 games at third base and would enable Pittsburgh to move Jared Triolo to shortstop until top prospect Konnor Griffin is deemed ready to play in the big leagues.
Adding to Baty’s value is that he does not become eligible for arbitration until after this upcoming season and would not make much more than the MLB minimum salary of $780,000 in 2026. Baty cannot be a free agent until after the 2029 season and has the pedigree of being a first-round draft pick in 2019.
Then, of course, Baty would become the third left-handed hitter added to the lineup this winter, joining first baseman/outfielder Ryan O'Hearn and second baseman Brandon Lowe. The Pirates were last in MLB in runs scored in 2025.
Baseball sources indicate the Mets would have a high price tag on Baty in trade talks. While the Pirates wouldn’t necessarily have to trade anyone from their projected opening day rotation, they would likely have to part with left-handed prospect Hunter Barco, who is close to being ready for the major leagues and is rated the organization’s ninth-best prospect by Baseball America.
Pittsburgh would likely want someone who could help replenish their starting pitching depth, especially after trading right-handers Mike Burrows and Johan Oviedo in December.
Right-hander Will Watson, who is ranked as the Mets’ No. 16 prospect by Baseball America, might interest the Pirates. The 23-year-old has just a 4-9 record in 30 minor-league games since being drafted in the eighth round in 2024 from the University of Southern California, but Watson’s ERA is a stellar 2.61, and he has 145 strikeouts in 124 innings. Watson finished last season at Double-A.
The Mets would also want a second player in the deal, and outfield/first base prospect Esmerlyn Valdez caught the eye of New York and many other teams during a strong showing in the Arizona Fall League after last season. Baseball America ranks Valdez, who finished last season at Double-A, as Pittsburgh's No. 11 prospect.
Would Pirates general manager Ben Cherington give up two of his top 11 prospects to acquire Baty, who will fill a major need as a left-handed-hitting third baseman? It would be something to ponder.
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