Should the New York Mets look into acquiring another infielder? And if they do, does Mark Vientos stand out as the most likely trade candidate on their roster?
Following the recent injury to Juan Soto, Brett Baty, Ronny Mauricio, and Mark Vientos are all expected to take on larger roles for the Mets.
In a recent hypothetical MLB mock trade proposed by Sports Illustrated’s Thomas Carelli, the Mets and the Tampa Bay Rays are connected in a major deal that would send All-Star first baseman Yandy Díaz to New York, with Mark Vientos and right-handed pitcher Raimon Gomez heading to Tampa Bay in return.
Do the New York Mets Need a First Baseman?
Per Carelli, the biggest reason this deal could work is based on the Mets need for a corner infielder at first base:
“The trade is simple on the Mets’ end — they need a 1st baseman. While the team is trying to compensate for the loss of Pete Alonso, it may come to bite them when it matters most. Diaz is not an amazing 1st baseman, but he is average and serviceable in the field. The Mets can get Diaz, who is aging and may demand a big deal, in which the Mets might pay where the Rays wont.”
A 2023 All-Star with the Rays, Diaz has spent the last eight seasons of his 10-year MLB career in Tampa Bay. Over 150 games in 2025, Yandy Diaz netted a bWAR of 3.4 and hit .300 with 25 home runs, 29 doubles, and an OPS+ of 135. Diaz is one of the more underrated hitters in MLB, and a trade to the Mets for Mark Vientos would be a huge get for New York’s lineup.
