The New York Mets are not seeing the production they had hoped for out of Mark Vientos. He has struggled, and the team is reportedly "open" to trading him.
The New York Mets are not seeing the production they had hoped for out of Mark Vientos. He has struggled, and the team is reportedly "open" to trading him, according to SNY's Andy Martino.
Vientos had 27 home runs and an .837 OPS in the regular season last year. He added five home runs in a moster postseason. However, he could now be a piece in a trade to help the Mets make a deep run this year. FanSided's James Nolan suggested the Mets could use Vientos to land Merrill Kelly of the Arizona Diamondbacks.
"Merrill Kelly of the Arizona Diamondbacks has been floated around in trade rumors the past few weeks, and he’d be a great fit in Mendoza’s rotation," wrote Nolan. "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 has a 3.22 ERA this season in 22 starts. He would be a reliable arm for the Mets as they chase the National League East title and a World Series. Vientos for Kelly would not be a deal the Mets would agree to, however.
Vientos will not be a free agent until 2030, and the Mets would want some more in return for him. However, the Diamondbacks could trade Eugenio Suárez, and even if they don't, he will hit free agency after the year. Vientos could take over at third base in either case.
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Perhaps the Mets still believe in Vientos, but if they don't, he is a very valuable trade chip that could allow them to set themselves up to make a deep run this year.
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