The Marlins had been the game’s most lively vendor on deadline day, exhibiting willingness to hear on nearly each short-term asset that they had whereas additionally focusing on controllable younger gamers round whom they may probably construct future iterations of the membership. One participant sought by Miami’s entrance workplace was inside their very own division; the Fish confirmed “heavy curiosity” in third base prospect Brett Baty, experiences Mike Puma of the New York Submit, including that Miami was one in every of a number of golf equipment eager about shopping for low on the previous first-rounder and top-100 prospect.
Chosen twelfth total again in 2019, Baty ranked on MLB.com’s top-100 prospects record yearly from 2020-23. By the point the 2022-23 seasons rolled round, nearly each publication of word ranked Baty among the many sport’s 50 or so finest prospects. He and present third baseman Mark Vientos — second-round decide in 2017 — ranked extremely within the Mets’ system all through their prospect tenures, nevertheless it’s Vientos who’s taken the reins at third base and run with the chance. In 259 plate appearances this season, the 24-year-old Vientos owns a hearty .280/.336/.547 slash (148 wRC+) with 16 homers and 15 doubles.
The emergence of Vientos naturally led to some hypothesis concerning Baty within the lead-in to final month’s commerce deadline. Nevertheless, Vientos’ presence alone hardly means there’s no long-term match on the roster for Baty. He’s seen minor league work at second base and in addition performed left discipline within the majors. Present second baseman Jeff McNeil is not any stranger to the outfield corners and will shift there. The Mets will even see each Pete Alonso and J.D. Martinez change into free brokers at season’s finish. Baty is taken into account a superior defender at third to Vientos, so if Alonso and/or Martinez depart in free company, Vientos might work in additional of a primary base/DH function subsequent yr (or rotate between the 2 infield corners and DH). That’d unencumber third base for Baty — if he hits sufficient to benefit the chance.
Thus far in his profession, Baty merely hasn’t performed that. He’s performed in components of three massive league seasons however managed solely a .215/.282/.325 batting line (73 wRC+) in 602 journeys to the plate. Nevertheless, he was additionally rushed to the majors in ’22 regardless of solely having six video games of Triple-A expertise to his credit score. And, after all, Baty would hardly be the primary prospect to wrestle on the plate in his first few MLB seems to be earlier than hitting his stride in his mid-20s. Even Vientos flailed away at a .205/.255/.354 clip by his first 81 video games in 2022-23 earlier than hitting his stride within the majors this yr.
It’s price noting that whereas he didn’t hit within the majors this season, Baty’s nonetheless exhibiting loads of promise in Syracuse. He’s taken 203 turns on the plate with the Mets’ Triple-A membership there and posted a sound .260/.360/.497 line (119 wRC+) with 11 homers, eight doubles, an enormous 12.8% stroll price and a lower-than-average 18.7% strikeout price. Baty nonetheless has a minor league choice remaining past the present season as nicely, so even when he struggles subsequent spring or early within the season, he might nonetheless be freely despatched to Triple-A for extra refinement.
Ronny Mauricio has missed the whole season on account of a torn ACL however shall be again within the combine subsequent yr. A prime prospect himself, he has hit at the least 20 residence runs in every of the previous three minor league seasons whereas taking part in shortstop, second base and third base. He lately underwent surgical procedure to wash up some scar tissue in his proper knee, per Will Sammon of The Athletic on X, however that isn’t anticipated to have a noticeable affect on his timeline. Francisco Lindor has shortstop locked up for the foreseeable future however Mauricio might finally issue into the infield image at third or second base, relying on different developments across the roster.
The offseason shall be fascinating with regard to the Mets’ nook combine. They’ll absolutely obtain curiosity in Baty once more whereas concurrently exploring the potential of retaining a franchise cornerstone (Alonso) and a nonetheless very productive veteran DH (Martinez). Baty might arguably be used as a commerce chip to accumulate assistance on the pitching entrance — Luis Severino, Sean Manaea and Jose Quintana can all change into free brokers at season’s finish — however there’s additionally a potential long-term function available in Queens, particularly if Alonso indicators elsewhere.
From the Marlins’ vantage level, focusing on Baty is completely smart. They don’t have a long-term answer at third base. Jake Burger has dealt with that spot commonly since being acquired previous to the 2023 deadline, however he’s a defensive legal responsibility whose free-swinging, low-OBP strategy on the plate results in wild fluctuations by way of offensive output. He’s higher suited at first base or at designated hitter. Deadline pickup Graham Pauley might get a long-term take a look at third, however he’s a flexible prospect who might bounce across the diamond in a semi-regular function.
Including Baty and his remaining 5 seasons of membership management absolutely holds some attraction, however the Mets are presumably cautious of sending Baty to a different NL East membership and watching him blossom into a daily. Nonetheless, the Marlins could have pitching to hawk once more this winter (e.g. Jesus Luzardo, Braxton Garrett, Ryan Weathers and probably even former Cy Younger winner Sandy Alcantara), so they may rekindle their curiosity in Baty. He’ll doubtless draw curiosity from each rebuilding groups and others merely on the lookout for a long-term choice on the scorching nook, nevertheless it’s removed from a on condition that the Mets will really transfer Baty this offseason.
