Bo Bichette landing with Mets could push Tigers toward a sneaky trade fit

The New York Mets may have unlocked a new trade possibility for the Detroit Tigers.

The Mets started last week with the impression that they may land Kyle Tucker, but after Tucker opted for a creative deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Mets quickly pivoted to Bo Bichette. Bichette's arrival in New York could lead to the Tigers addressing their need at third base.

Bichette is expected to play third base for the Mets, and this now gives New York a logjam of infielders. Even before the signing of Bichette, the Mets were expected to shop corner infielder Mark Vientos in trade talks. With Bichette now taking over at the hot corner, former top prospect Brett Baty has been a name speculated to be involved in trade talks.

Bo Bichette’s Mets fit creates surprising trade possibilities for Tigers

It's a similar situation the Chicago Cubs find themselves in after signing Alex Bregman. Matt Shaw, in theory, could be a trade target for the Tigers, but the Cubs aren't compelled to move Shaw.

Like the Cubs are doing with Shaw, the Mets plan on using Baty in both the infield and outfield. The Mets would likely be enticed to move Baty if they received controllable starting pitching in return, but that's not the type of trade the Tigers can offer at this moment.

Vientos could be the more attainable target for the Tigers. Vientos had a breakout season with the Mets in 2024, hitting 27 home runs with a wRC+ of 132 in 454 plate appearances. Things took a turn for the 26-year-old infielder last season, hitting 17 home runs in 463 plate appearances with a wRC+ of 97.

Not necessarily terrible, but enough struggles that compelled the Mets to sign Bichette this offseason and play him at third base.

Now, to be clear, the Mets aren't simply going to give Vientos away. Sure, he has the appearance of not being involved in the team's infield picture next season, but he is still a pre-arbitration player under control through the 2029 season. Scott Harris and Co. would need to go to a level, in terms of giving up prospects, that they weren't willing to reach at the deadline.

Where things get tricky for the Tigers in lining up a potential trade for Vientos is that the Mets will be looking for pitching. Detroit isn't exactly rich in pitching prospects. They almost certainly would need to trade a pitcher with major league experience, and the Tigers aren't in a position to do so at the moment.

If the Tigers win their arbitration hearing against Tarik Skubal, perhaps they then pinch pennies together to sign someone like Max Scherzer on the free-agent market. A move that could then lead to the Tigers being willing to trade a cost-controlled arm for Vientos. Not the likeliest of scenarios, but one the Tigers' previous inactivity forces fans to think through.