Mets could trade disappointing .720 OPS infielder after a career-worst season

The New York Mets were trade deadline sellers during the 2026 MLB season, and looking ahead to the offseason, they could be eyeing up some more big changes to the roster.

While Juan Soto isn't going anywhere, there were some rumors about Francisco Lindor being a potential trade candidate. But, ignoring those rumors, as they aren't likely to come to fruition, there's one glaringly obvious player that needs to be traded.

MLB.com's Mark Feinsand called out regressing .720 OPS Mets infielder Mark Vientos as someone who might be traded. Despite being a non-tender candidate, the Mets might actually find a taker in a trade for the struggling infielder due to his cheap deal.

Mets might actually find a trade partner for Mark Vientos

"It's possible that the Mets could non-tender Vientos, though his price tag should be low enough as he enters his first year of arbitration that he could draw trade interest," Feinsand writes.

The Mets aren't going to pull one over on another team by trading Vientos, as his struggles during the 2026 season cannot be ignored.

This season, he has posted -1.0 bWAR, easily the worst mark of his professional career. After putting up 3.1 bWAR in 2024, Vientos has dropped off significantly and is now one of the worst infielders, let alone players, in MLB.

When the 2027 season begins, Vientos will be 27 years old and in his first year of arbitration. While he might normally be a bit too expensive for a team to consider in a trade, since it's year one of arbitration, a trade could actually work out for the Mets.

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There could be teams willing to give Vientos a chance in 2027, with rebuilding clubs like the Los Angeles Angels, Colorado Rockies, and Kansas City Royals being possible fits.

But even World Series contenders looking to take a low-risk flier on someone could be eyeing Vientos this offseason. The Los Angeles Dodgers, Milwaukee Brewers, and Tampa Bay Rays could have interest in Vientos.

He's not going to bring back a strong package, and the Mets would be lucky to get anything of note in a trade involving Vientos.

But with three years of club control left and a cheap 2027 contract likely in his future, the Mets have a chance, albeit a small one, to find a taker for Vientos this offseason.

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