The New York Mets’ patience with Brett Baty is wearing thin. Once considered the team’s future third baseman, Baty has instead become a source of frustration, often failing to seize opportunities at the major league level. Now 25, he’s no longer the promising young prospect who could afford growing pains. This turn of fortunes has the Mets wondering if he really fits in with their plans, given his difficulties both at bat and on the field.

When Batty made his Mets debut in 2022, he was known for his graceful swing strong hitting ability, and as a dependable glove at third base position. He was expected to be a key player alongside Francisco Lindor and Pete Alonso on the team. Yet, after another underwhelming season in 2024—where he slashed .212/.275/.347 with shaky defense—his standing with the team has never been more uncertain.

 Is Brett Baty’s future in New York in jeopardy?

Jake Brown of New York Post Sports didn’t hold back when discussing Baty’s struggles on Mets Daily Show, calling him “the ultimate tease.” “He reels you in like a big old fish,” Brown said.

He continued further: “You see him dominating in Syracuse, and you start to believe, but when he gets to the majors, it just never clicks.” That sentiment wholly captures the frustration surrounding Baty. He’s shown promise at Triple-A, but every time he returns to Queens, he looks overmatched. Unfortunately, the Mets can’t afford another year of hoping he finally figures it out, all the while watching him flounder at the plate and struggle defensively.

Baty’s struggles aren’t just about his bat. His defense at third base has been questionable at best, forcing the Mets to experiment with him at second base. That hasn’t gone well either. If he can’t provide value in the field, his offense needs to justify a roster spot—and it simply hasn’t.

Meanwhile, Mark Vientos has shown flashes of offensive potential, and Ronny Mauricio—who missed last season with an ACL injury—is expected to reenter the mix in 2025. If Baty can’t establish himself quickly, he could find himself buried on the depth chart or even shipped out of town. There’s even speculation that New York could target a young slugger from Boston in a trade. With David Stearns aggressively reshaping the roster, there’s no set guarantee that Baty will be in Queens much longer.

Time is running out. If Baty doesn’t make an immediate impact in 2025, the Mets might finally move on. Whether through a trade or a demotion, his days in blue and orange could be numbered.

What could the Mets get in return?

If the New York Mets try and explore a trade for Brett Baty, the Kansas City Royals look to be a logical destination. Baty has faced challenges in claiming the starting third base spot in the past couple of seasons and might discover a new opportunity in Kansas City since the Royals do not have a permanent solution for that position yet. In exchange for Baty, the Mets could consider acquiring pitching support – with the likes of left-handed pitchers such as Angel Zerpa, Daniel Lynch IV, and Sam Long.

Furthermore, the Mets are currently still seeking assistance, for their bullpen. They have been linked with Pittsburgh Pirates reliever David Bednar. After failing to secure Tanner Scott who joined the Dodgers and selecting A. J. Minter as a setup player, the New York-based outfit might consider trading for Bednar. Although his performance dipped in 2024 with a 5.77 ERA, his achievements as an All-Star closer present an appealing opportunity. Alternately, the Mets could also look into trade and free-agent relief choices to solidify their bullpen for the 2025 season; options may include David Robertson and Carlos Estévez.

The Mets must decide whether to remain patient with Brett Baty or use him as a trade asset to strengthen their roster. However, his trade value might not be high enough, unless packaged with other pieces. Do you think the Mets should give him one more shot to prove himself, or is it time already to cut ties and move forward?