Podcast host floats shocking blockbuster Rangers-Mets trade with 2 playoff heroes

In an MLB trade prediction episode of Baseball Today, host Chris Rose proposed a blockbuster trade between the Texas Rangers and New York Mets.

Rose predicts the Mets will sign star free agent third baseman Alex Bregman, which would allow New York to trade third baseman Mark Vientos comfortably. Rose went on to say that the Rangers could trade for Vientos in exchange for outfielder Evan Carter, and have Vientos play first base while Josh Jung remains at third.

Would Rangers accept a Mark Vientos-Evan Carter trade with Mets?

Texas could use a first baseman, and Vientos could be the man to fill that role. While he struggled significantly last season, posting just 0.4 fWAR and a 97 wRC+, he proved that he can be among the best hitters in the game when he posted 2.9 fWAR and a 132 wRC+ in 2024. Not to mention, he had an outstanding postseason performance in 2024, slashing .327/.362/.636 with five homers and 14 RBI in 58 plate appearances.

However, it's likely not in the Rangers' best interest to part ways with Carter to acquire Vientos. Without Carter, the Rangers don't win the 2023 World Series, as he hit .300/.417/.500 in 72 plate appearances throughout the 2023 postseason as a 21-year-old. He hasn't been able to replicate that level of production since then, mainly due to injuries. He played in just 45 games in 2024 due to a lumbar sprain, then in 2025 played in just 63 games due to various injuries, including a season-ending right wrist fracture he suffered in late August.

Carter is young and cheap. So is Vientos, but it seems like Carter has a better chance of being an extremely valuable player down the road. Carter didn't do as well as he did in 2023 this past season, but he still put up great numbers in his limited action. In just 220 plate appearances, Carter posted 1.4 fWAR and a solid 107 wRC+. He played spectacular defense, providing Texas with four outs above average, and he ranked in the 90th percentile in sprint speed (29.0 ft/sec).

The Rangers are also reportedly looking to get rid of either Adolis Garcia or Jonah Heim. If Texas ends up moving on from Garcia, it cannot afford to lose a starting outfielder of Carter's caliber.