JUST IN: Milwaukee Brewers To Land New York Mets Infielder Brett Baty Moving Joey Ortiz To Shortstop ‘Change Of Scenery Candidate’

The Milwaukee Brewers have had a relatively quiet offseason, with the most notable event being the loss of shortstop Willy Adames, who signed with the San Francisco Giants in free agency. As the Brewers aim to secure their third consecutive National League Central title in 2025, finding a replacement for Adames will be a key focus heading into the new season.

One potential avenue for addressing their infield needs is a trade with the New York Mets. According to David Gasper of Reviewingthebrew.com, the Brewers should consider acquiring Mets third baseman Brett Baty before the 2025 MLB season.

Baty has been the subject of trade speculation, including before the 2024 MLB trade deadline. While his MLB stats so far—.215/.282/.325 with 15 home runs and an OPS+ of 70 over 500 at-bats—aren’t impressive, Gasper argues that Baty’s strong minor league numbers suggest he has untapped potential that could be unlocked with a change of scenery. Additionally, Baty is just 25 years old and comes with five seasons of team control, making him an appealing long-term option for a team like Milwaukee.

Brett Baty makes immediate impact for New York Mets, slugs home run on first major league swing - ESPN

Gasper explains that Baty’s role with the Mets depends heavily on Pete Alonso’s future in New York. If Alonso re-signs, Mark Vientos is expected to stay at third base, which would leave Baty without a clear path to a starting job. In this scenario, the Brewers could work out a trade with their former GM, David Stearns, who now heads the Mets’ front office. On the other hand, if Alonso leaves, Vientos could move to first base, giving Baty another chance to claim the Mets’ third base job.

For Milwaukee, acquiring Baty could provide a long-term solution at third base while allowing Andruw Monasterio or Brice Turang to shift into other infield roles. Although Baty’s trade value may be at a low point, the Brewers could capitalize if they believe in his potential to develop into a reliable offensive contributor.

Baty’s 2024 season with the Mets saw him post a .229 batting average, four home runs, 16 RBIs, a .306 on-base percentage, and a .327 slugging percentage. While these numbers are underwhelming, his struggles might be alleviated in a new environment, where he could thrive with regular playing time and less pressure.

Whether the Brewers pursue Baty will depend on how the Mets structure their roster and whether they view him as expendable. For now, he remains a player to watch as Milwaukee looks to fill their infield gap and build on their recent success.

Moving Joey Ortiz To Shortstop

If the Milwaukee Brewers were to trade for third baseman Brett Baty, their first step would likely involve shifting Joey Ortiz from third base to shortstop. Ortiz could potentially become the Brewers’ starting shortstop in 2025.

Acquiring Baty would be a smart move for the franchise. He’s a talented player who needs the opportunity to play regularly, something the Mets may not provide, making Milwaukee an ideal place for him to thrive.