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Season Ending Clouds Future of Mets Former First-Round Pick

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On Sunday, the New York Mets announced that third baseman Brett Baty will miss 4-6 weeks due to a fractured left index finger. Baty suffered the finger injury a few days earlier via a hit by a pitch during a Triple-A Syracuse game. Barring a miraculous recovery, Baty will miss the rest of the season.

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Season-Ending Finger Injury Makes Brett Baty’s Future Uncertain

Once seen as the third baseman of the future in Queens, Baty has struggled mightily in his brief major league career. In 169 career games, the Texan produced a .215/.282/.325 slash line in 602 plate appearances with 15 homers.

Evaluators have always loved Baty’s raw power, but he hasn’t been able to fully access it in the majors. Though he looked to have turned the corner after a solid spring and a hot start to the season, the Mets demoted him in early June after his production cratered.

That said, Baty immediately hit well after joining Triple-A. In 58 games, Baty mashed for a .886 OPS with 16 homers and 10 doubles. Baty has always hit well in the minors throughout his professional career. At some point, he needs to do it in the majors.

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Baty Could Have Made The Mets A Bigger 2024 Postseason Threat

Baty likely would have earned that opportunity this September if not for his finger injury. Teams can carry one extra pitcher and one extra position player on their active rosters for the month. Many expected New York to re-call Baty following his Triple-A success.

Though he wouldn’t have been given extended playing time right away, Baty likely would have gotten an opportunity to earn more at-bats. The Mets have three quality left-handed bats on the active roster. Two of them have had long struggle periods this year. The dynamic of the lineup improves greatly with a good Baty.

While Mark Vientos has run away with the third base job, the Mets could have used Baty’s bat at second base or DH. It’s unclear if the Mets would trust Baty at second in the majors, but he played over 200 innings at the keystone at Triple-A this year. There’s logic in starting him at second against right-handed pitchers and then using Jose Iglesias as a defensive replacement.

Unfortunately, Baty’s season-ending injury makes this a moot point.

Baty’s Missed Opportunity For Future Seasons

Having solid plate appearances this September could have allowed Baty to enter the winter with extra confidence. It could also have helped teach him what adjustments work in the majors and which don’t. This would have aided his offseason training and been beneficial in the spring.

Despite his poor production in the majors, teams throughout the league, including the Mets, still have faith in his potential. That was clear when reports revealed Baty drew attention from teams at last month’s trade deadline. A solid September likely would have only increased league-wide faith in Baty.

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This offseason, the Mets will have to fill holes at first base and DH. Ideally, Baty finishes the season strong and forces himself into the team’s plans for 2025. In this scenario, Baty becoming a legitimate piece on the 2025 roster would allow New York to allocate resources elsewhere.

Baty finishing the season strong could have also increased his trade value. The organization had no interest in flipping him this summer at a decreased value. He could have recouped some of it with a good September, then been used as a trade chip to improve other spots on the roster.

The Mets Will Enter Another Offseason With Baty as a Question Mark

Instead, Baty will represent a major question mark through an offseason in which the Mets must fill multiple holes. The organization can’t count on him to play a role on a team with postseason aspirations. However, his low trade value likely forces New York to carry him on the roster throughout the winter rather than giving up on his high potential.

Most fans will see the Mets right now and focus on the Wild Card chase. And while the odds of Baty seriously impacting the pennant race were low, his season-ending injury only makes his future more confusing and uncertain.

Main Photo Credits: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports

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