Guardians see perfect trade avenue open with Mets after Bo Bichette deal

January is the new November.

After the MLB calendar went dormant around the Holidays, things have picked back up over the past couple days. After Kyle Tucker got things moving by signing with the Cubs on Thursday, Bo Bichette did his part on Friday by signing a three-year deal worth $126 million with the New York Mets. 

It’s a bit of a shocking development given the mets already have an abundance of middle infielders, but it seems like Bichette’s deal means that some other players in the Mets infield picture could be available in trade — one of whom being corner infielder Brett Baty. 

Baty is coming off the best season of his career since making his Major League debut for the Mets in 2022 and boasts legitimate power. It’s like he was designated in a lab to help the Guardians. 

The Cleveland Guardians need to call the New York Mets about Brett Baty 

Last season Baty slashed .254/.313/.435 with 18 home runs and 50 RBI in a career-high 130 games while mostly playing at third base and second base. 

Bichette is going to play third base full-time for the Mets next season, which could lead to Baty playing more left field. He made one appearance in left for the Mets in 2023. 

Chances are Baty would also see time in the outfield grass if he was acquired by the Guardians, and that versatility would make him an even better fit on Cleveland’s roster. 

The biggest red flag on Baty’s profile is his sky high strikeout rate (108 strikeouts in 2025; 26th percentile in strikeout rate), though it would be a worthwhile trade off given the power he brings to the table. 

That 2025 season is far and away Baty’s best since he debuted in 2022, as he hit just .215 across 169 games in the first three seasons of his career before turning into a quality, everyday player last season. 

If the Mets are in fact looking for pitching in return for Baty, the Guardians would immediately stand out as a suitor should they decide to dangle a young MLB-ready pitcher like Joey Cantillo, Parker Messick or a prospect who is a bit further away like Khal Stephen.

While a prospect return highlighted by either of them may seem like a bit of a steep return for a player who hasn’t achieved a ton in the bigs, he still has four years of team control remaining and will be making the league minimum next season.

He’d be a solid fit both as an everyday player or utility option, and has the kind of power the Guardians have struggled to develop in the minors. 

Even though the Mets have an expensive and talented lineup, it makes sense they want to add some quality pitching since their infield defense is probably going to be bad considering they’re planning on playing Jorge Polanco at first and and Bo Bichette at third base despite the fact neither of them have played those positions in the bigs.

Not only do the Guardians get a latent benefit from having Bichette move to the National League, but his deal with the Mets could result in them having an avenue to make a much-needed trade.