Proposed Pirates-Mets trade idea would fix 2 problems at once

It's no secret that, while the Pittsburgh Pirates have made significant roster improvements this winter, there's still more work to be done. General manager Ben Cherington said that he hopes to still add to the starting rotation, the bullpen, and most importantly, the left side of the infield before the team takes the field for the first time.

In a recent article analyzing the Pirates' desperate need for another hitter, Steve Adams of MLB Trade Rumors threw out an interesting proposal that would check two items off of Cherington's wish list—acquiring Brett Baty to play third base while also taking on pitcher Kodai Senga's contract.

The Mets, of course, after missing out on Kyle Tucker, swooped in at the eleventh hour to sign infielder Bo Bichette. According to multiple reports, Bichette––who who had only played shortstop as a major leaguer until sliding over to second base during last year's World Series––will play third base in Queens.

New York already possessed a plethora of candidates vying for playing time at third base, with Baty likely at the forefront of that group. While his defensive versatility still gives him a chance to contribute for the Mets—he filled in at second base last year and can also play corner outfield—the team could also trade him, given his value is probably at its peak after his breakout 2025 campaign.

A first-round pick in 2019, Baty reached the major leagues in 2022 but finally broke out at the plate this past season. His .748 OPS was a marked improvement (and topped every Pirate from last year except for Spencer Horwitz), but he showed serious promise in the second half, slashing .291/.353/.477 and hitting nine of his 18 home runs.

The Pirates taking on Kodai Senga's contract in order to acquire Brett Baty would address two of the team's remaining needs.

Senga would be much more of a gamble, but could potentially pay huge dividends. At first glance, his career stats (3.00 ERA, 26.8% strikeout rate) are enticing. But he's far from a sure thing, and his three MLB seasons have each looked very different.

Senga's first season stateside was in 2023, after 11 years pitching in NPB in Japan. He looked excellent, posting a 2.98 ERA and striking out over 200 batters in 29 starts. That earned him an All-Star nod, appearances on multiple Cy Young ballots, and he finished as the NL Rookie of the Year runner-up to unanimous winner Corbin Carroll.

Senga started the 2024 season on the injured list with a right shoulder strain and didn't take the mound until late July, where, in his first game back, he strained his calf, which sent him back on the injured list for the remainder of the regular season. He did return for the playoffs, but he allowed seven runs in five innings and the Mets were bounced in the NLCS.

Looking to rebound in 2025, Senga hit the ground running. After allowing four runs in his first start, he allowed just 10 earned runs over his next 12 starts before another mid-game lower-body injury forced him back on the shelf. Upon his return a month later, his performance cratered, and he posted a 5.90 ERA post-injury and was ultimately sent to the minor leagues to end the season.

Senga's inconsistency, combined with his contract, has made him expendable in the Mets' eyes. He's owed $14 million in each of the next two seasons, which is probably more than the Pirates are willing to spend on a wild card, but that could be the cost of doing business if the Bucs are also intent on landing Baty (who is under team control through 2029) at a lesser asset cost. And in the event that Senga does turn things around, he can be had for another season thanks to a $15 million club option.

While the Pirates were obviously never going to be involved at the top of the free agent market (aside from the team's attempt to land Kyle Schwarber), they can still benefit from other teams spending big money if those moves free up younger players who wouldn't have been available before.

Baty would add another above-average left-handed bat and solve the team's third base problem for the next four years, while Senga isn't far removed from being a Cy Young contender (and if there's one thing the Pirates are good at, it's developing pitching).

There's no guarantee that the two clubs will be able to line up on a deal, but this scenario would push the Pirates that much closer to being a contender in 2026 and beyond.