The Pittsburgh Pirates are on the hunt for a third baseman to bolster their lineup, and they've set their sights on a couple of promising young talents from the New York Mets: Brent Baty and Mark Vientos. With a need for depth at third base, the Pirates are exploring various options, and these two players seem to fit the bill.
But here's where it gets intriguing: the Pirates are not just looking for any third baseman; they're seeking players on affordable contracts with several years of team control. This strategy, however, might exclude the highly sought-after Isaac Paredes from the Houston Astros.
So, will the Pirates actually pursue a trade for Vientos and Baty? They've already made significant additions this offseason, aiming to support their impressive pitching staff and end their decade-long playoff drought.
Baty and Vientos are both young and in their final year of pre-arbitration, which means they'll be earning just a bit more than the league minimum in 2026. After that, they'll have three years of arbitration, keeping them away from free agency until the end of the decade. This makes them an attractive proposition for the Pirates, who typically have one of the lowest payrolls in the MLB.
The Mets, however, have their own plans. They signed free agent Bo Bichette this offseason, who will take on the role of starting third baseman. With Ronny Mauricio also in the mix, the Mets now have four third basemen on their roster.
The Pirates might find it easier to acquire Vientos, as the Mets value Baty more as a utility player. But both players would command a decent trade return. Pittsburgh would likely need to offer an MLB-ready bat, perhaps catcher Joey Bart, along with a pitching prospect, as the Mets have shown interest in their young pitching talent this offseason.
Pirates general manager Ben Cherington has been aggressive with trades this offseason, so it wouldn't be surprising to see him add a third baseman, even if it's not Vientos or Baty.
The Pirates' interest in these players stems from their lack of depth at third base. With Jared Triolo as their only serious option at the position heading into 2026, they've missed out on several other targets, including Japanese star Kazuma Okamoto, Jorge Polanco, Willi Castro, Yoán Moncada, and most recently, Eugenio Suárez, who signed with the Cincinnati Reds.
The trade market seems like the best option for the Pirates at this point in the offseason, with few free agents remaining.
Vientos had a standout season in 2024 but saw his numbers dip in 2025, including a drop from 27 home runs in 2024 to 17 last season. Defensively, he's struggled at third base over the past two seasons, with negative defensive runs saved and OAA ratings. However, Vientos would provide a right-handed bat, which the Pirates could use, especially if he can regain his 2024 power.
Baty, on the other hand, had his best season in the majors in 2025, setting career-highs in almost all hitting categories. He's also a much better defensive third baseman than Vientos, with positive DRS and OAA ratings, an improvement from his first two seasons in the majors.
Baty hits left-handed, but his defensive skills could be a valuable addition to the Pirates' lineup, which could use some more reliable gloves.
So, will the Pirates make a move for these young Mets players? Only time will tell, but it's an exciting prospect for Pirates fans.
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