Reds and Mets look like a trade fit on paper but a smarter trade path exists

The New York Mets signed Bo Bichette last week, and it only creates a greater logjam than the one that already existed. The Mets have done nothing to bolster a starting rotation in need of a boost, and to that end, it would appear that they'd be a perfect trade partner for the Cincinnati Reds.

Bichette will man the hot corner in the Big Apple, displacing not one, but two promising young bats in Brett Baty and Mark Vientos. Baty also comes with the versatility to play second base, making him an intriguing option to compete with Matt McLain.

However, if there's one place the Reds don't need a ton of help, it's in the infield. Between Ke'Bryan Hayes, Sal Stewart, and Spencer Steer, they have three starting-caliber players for two spots, making one of them an everyday DH. Of course, Elly De La Cruz has shortstop locked down, and giving up on McLain at second might not be the wisest move now that he'll be another year removed from shoulder surgery.

Instead, there's another contender who is also facing a roster crunch. The Toronto Blue Jays are going to have trouble finding at-bats for all of their versatile and promising young bats, and Cincinnati would be wise to engage with their neighbors to the north.

The Blue Jays (not the Mets) could be a perfect trade partner for the Reds

Toronto's need might not seem urgent, but just like New York, they could use another starting pitcher. The Blue Jays set the market ablaze by giving Dylan Cease a whopping seven-year, $210 million deal as one of the earliest splashes this offseason. They followed that up by signing KBO superstar Cody Ponce, and will also count on Shane Bieber, Trey Yeasavage, and an aging Kevin Gausman to round out their rotation.

While this could be a very good unit on paper, there are serious concerns. Bieber has been hurt a lot over the course of his career, and surprisingly opted into his contract when the offseason began. He was on the shelf for most of the season while recovering from Tommy John surgery and dealt with forearm tightness down the stretch. Betting on him to stay healthy for the entirety of the 2026 season is a big risk.

Yeasavage is a 22-year-old phenom who has more postseason innings under his belt than regular-season frames. He's got a bright future, but one has to wonder how he'll adjust once the book is out on him. Ponce is a complete unknown. The 2025 KBO MVP flamed out with the Pittsburgh Pirates, posting a 5.86 ERA in 55⅓ big league innings before beginning his tour of Asia. Originally landing in Japan's NPB, he had an up-and-down three seasons highlighted by a 6.72 ERA in 2024 before taking off in Korea in 2025.

Lastly, Gausman has long been one of the most consistent and under-the-radar starters in the game, but now entering his 14th year in the majors, there's a question of when the mileage will catch up to him.

In addition, every single one of those starters is right-handed. A lefty like Nick Lodolo could go a long way to providing stability, not to mention balance to their rotation. In exchange, there are several young Blue Jays hitters who could be of interest to the Reds that would be better fits than what the Mets could offer up.

Addison Barger would be the top prize. The 26-year-old is a lefty bat who can play third base or in the corner outfield and is coming off a season in which he hit 21 homers and posted a .756 OPS. He's an ascending player and is under team control through 2030.

Davis Schneider is another intriguing option. The 27-year-old has four more years of team control, can play second base or in the outfield, and hit 11 homers with a .797 OPS in 82 games last season. He also has exceptional plate discipline, posting a 15.9% walk rate in 2025.

Joey Loperfido is a name we've eyed before. The 26-year-old is less proven than either of the other two, but he'd also be cheaper. He hit .333/.379/.500 in 104 plate appearances last season. He, too, is versatile, having spent time at first base, second base, and all three outfield spots during his minor league career.

While the young Mets bats are intriguing, someone with the ability to play the outfield like any of these three youngsters from Toronto fits the bill better. All three can also shift to the infield, if needed, making for an attractive package.

Toronto already added Kazuma Okamoto, and if they turn their attention to Cody Bellinger after losing out on both Kyle Tucker and Bo Bichette, these youngsters will be buried further, making a trade almost inevitable.