
Per Sports Illustrated’s Pat Ragazzo, the New York Mets are reportedly open to trading infielder Mark Vientos. Luisangel Acuna and Ronny Mauricio are also players the Mets are open to trading, according to The Athletic’s Will Sammon.
It’s no secret that Mark Vientos would face a limited role with the Mets entering the 2026 season. After the additions of Marcus Semien and Jorge Polanco, Vientos has slipped further down the depth chart.
Vientos broke out in 2024, slashing .266/.322/.516 with 27 home runs, 71 RBIs, and an .837 OPS, then followed it up with a historic postseason. He took a step back in ’25, hitting .233/.289/.413 with a -0.2 WAR across 121 games, though teams around the league still view the 26-year-old as an appealing bat.
At the major-league level, Vientos has played exclusively at third base, where he has struggled. He finished the season with a minus-seven Outs Above Average, ranking only ahead of Pete Alonso and Juan Soto. As a result, while Vientos can play third, teams project him long-term as a designated hitter.
While Vientos draws interest mainly for his power, Mauricio and Acuna hold appeal to teams largely because of their age and versatility. Mauricio returned to MLB action this season after missing all of ’24 with a torn ACL in his right knee. The 24-year-old posted a .226/.293/.369 slash line with six home runs and 10 RBIs.
Unlike Vientos, Mauricio held his own defensively at third base, finishing the season with 3 OAA. His background as a shortstop and ability to play second base add to his value, as does the fact that he still has one minor league option remaining.
In response to Francisco Lindor’s late-season injury in 2024, the Mets called up Luisangel Acuna, whom they acquired at the 2023 trade deadline in the deal that sent Max Scherzer to Texas, to serve as the emergency every-day shortstop. The 23-year-old flashed power in a small sample, homering three times and driving in six runs with a .966 OPS across 14 games. This season, however, he struggled. Acuna drove in just eight runs in 175 at-bats along with a .567 OPS. His value comes from his speed and defensive versatility. He stole 16 bases in 17 attempts.
“Run prevention” – a term that has defined the Mets’ offseason under president of baseball operations David Stearns – centers on pitching and defense. Acuna and Mauricio fit that mold, while Vientos does not. Whether the Mets ultimately trade any of the three infielders remains to be seen.
More must-reads:
+
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!