Will the ‘Baby Mets’ Make It Through the Trade Deadline?
The exuberant and youthful, ‘Baby Mets’ as rightfully named by captain prospect, Francisco Lindor, are a trio of players with promising careers ahead of them. Francisco Alvarez, Brett Baty, and Mark Vientos all came up together as a part of the Mets’ Minor League. While playing at Triple-A Syracuse, the three formed an energetic and playful bond, describing each other as nothing short of brothers. It’s true that the ‘Baby Mets’ have the potential to create a bright future for the team. However, with the trade deadline on the horizon and a greater need for relief pitchers in the bullpen, the question becomes: are these players what the Mets need right now?
By July 31st at 6 p.m. ET, Met’s management will have had to make their final trades to lock in the 2025 season. As of right now, each of the ‘Baby Mets’ has the threat of being traded hanging over their head, a decision that has been a clear motivation for each of them as they have tackled the latter part of the season. While Alvarez, Baty, and Vientos have all had their moments of pure fire, at times they have also shown their lack of experience. This season alone, each one has been optioned to play back at Triple-A Syracuse, a strategic move to develop them as players.
Francisco Alvarez Is Sure ‘Enough’ to Stay
Francisco Alvarez is the most recent player to have spent time in the Mets’ Minor League, and the one who’s shown the greatest improvement. He has shown improvement not only in statistics like batting, but with a clear growth of confidence. Over the last week, he’s led the Mets to a series sweep against the Giants and held strong defense. Given his solid performance and his being a catcher, it is most likely that Alvarez will be on the Mets roster for the foreseeable future.
Brett Baty Has Made the Strides to Play for Keeps
Third baseman Brett Baty has also had a complicated 2025 season. Before April 15th, his season WAR was -0.3. After a clear improvement in game play and confidence on the field, Baty is now at a 1.6 WAR. Given how much of a jump he has made to prove himself during the season, it’s clear that he has the fortitude to become a legacy player and help shape the Mets' future.
Mark Vientos Doesn’t Want to Go
Infielder Mark Vientos had an incredible season last year, making him one of the ‘Baby Mets’ to watch. At the end of the season, his WAR was an impressive 2.9, rather show-stopping for a newer player. Right now, however, Vientos is at a season WAR of -0.4 and a career of 1.5, signaling a fall from the consistency he has had before. This does not mean he has lost his potential. At the Padres Game last night, he showed a stellar performance, almost gaining two Home Runs, if it weren’t for Padres player Fernando Tatis Jr. catching the play over the fence. With this sudden surge in performance, it’s clear that he’s fighting for his place on the team.
Who Will Be the ‘Baby’ to Leave the Cradle?
It seems most likely that the Mets will decide to trade some of their young blood for a consistent relief pitcher. Especially since that’s the area this team has been struggling with the most. It makes sense to let go of developing talent in exchange for established credentials. However, most Mets fans believe that letting go of any of the ‘Baby Mets’ is not only a mistake, but a waste of the developmental training spent on these players.
As a fan, no one wants to part ways with the players that they have grown attached to. I certainly don’t want to have to say goodbye to any of the ‘Babys’. Of course, the decision is still entirely up in the air. If the Mets did keep the trio intact, they’d be looking at a future of homegrown players who bleed orange and blue. Yet, they’d most likely be giving up the 2025 season if they don’t figure out a solution to their pitching problem soon.
