MLB Rumors: 3 prospects Mets would have to include in Shohei Ohtani trade

ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 11: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Angels looks on during the game against the New York Mets at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on June 11, 2022 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Christopher Pasatieri/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 11: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Angels looks on during the game against the New York Mets at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on June 11, 2022 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Christopher Pasatieri/Getty Images) /
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Brett Baty, Mets, MLB Rumors, Braves, Yankees
Brett Baty #22 of the New York Mets in action against the Colorado Rockies at Citi Field on August 28, 2022 in New York City. The Rockies defeated the Mets 1-0. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

Shohei Ohtani trade: Mets prospect Brett Baty

Baseball fans in Queens may not want to trade Brett Baty, but it’s not really up to them. The Angels front office can pick their price point for a player like Shohei Ohtani, which would likely be higher than what the San Diego Padres paid for Juan Soto.

Baty, who is back in the major leagues for New York, is arguably the best third baseman on the Mets roster right now. He’d be an instant starter for an Angels team in need of star power in the post-Ohtani era. As Rising Apple’s Tim Boyle made clear, the Mets would really prefer to keep Baty on the roster:

"“The need to keep Baty is pretty clear. He has torn up minor league pitching. Many are convinced it’s only a matter of time before he does it in the majors on a consistent basis. Perhaps the shallowest position of all within their entire franchise is at third base. With Eduardo Escobar already losing playing time this season and Mark Vientos not appearing to be a good enough defender at the position, holding onto Baty is pretty important.”"

As great as Baty is, of course, there is a replacement for his services in New York’s system. It’s tough to call a prospect as good as Baty expendable, but Mark Vientos is rapidly improving and close to the major leagues himself. He also plays third base. Both players are 23 years old.

Hate to break it to New York baseball fans, but this isn’t how it works. They won’t be the team making demands. Rather, the Angels, should they choose to trade Ohtani, will have a spreadsheet of Mets minor leaguers at the ready to pick from. And Billy Eppler knows it.