With bats in deep freeze, these Mets are on hot seat

The New York Mets' ice-cold bats are posing a problem at the team's hot corner.   

Following its fire sale at the trade deadline, the organization assessed the young talent on the roster. The departure of several veterans presented an opportunity for young players to impress and to cement their roles for 2024 and beyond. 

After a noncompetitive 0-6 road trip, though, the Mets are returning home with more questions than answers. Among the most important: What's going on at third base?

Brett Baty and Mark Vientos have recently shared time at the position, and while the Mets believe both rookies can develop into everyday starters, the early results are not promising.

Since the trade deadline, Baty has gone 0-for-18, managing to deepen the struggles from his abysmal July when he posted a paltry .552 OPS. Vientos hasn't fared much better, going 3-for-18 since the trade deadline and making several misplays in the field.

Earlier this season, the Mets (50-61) brought up Baty and Vientos from Triple-A Syracuse. Each had a reputation for shaky defense and strong offense. But with neither player batting over .220 this season, doubts have emerged about their futures.

Before the Mets play Monday, team officials will mull demoting Baty to Triple-A, per Mike Puma of the New York Post. Finishing the season in Syracuse would allow the 23-year-old to regain his confidence in a less stressful setting.

"The challenge up here is emotional and mental," manager Buck Showalter said before New York's 2-0 loss to the Orioles on Sunday. "The things that don’t happen in Binghamton and St. Lucie and Syracuse happen here. You can’t simulate that, you have to experience it."

Baty's possible departure would open the door for Vientos, who is also 23. He hasn't earned the starting role at third base but would fill in by default.

New York's struggles at third base are even harder to justify when looking back at last year's trade deadline, when the Mets dealt J.D. Davis and three pitching prospects to the Giants for designated hitter Darin Ruf. 

Davis' .256 batting average and 55 RBI this season would rank second and third on the roster, respectively. Ruf, meanwhile, was cut by New York before Opening Day this season after batting only .152 in 28 games with the team.

Overall, the Mets are batting .236 this season, 24th in the big leagues.

For fans in search of a silver lining, look no further than Carlos Correa, whose 12-year, $315M contract to play third base for the Mets got scrapped after a physical raised questions about his ankle. 

Correa now boasts a meek .221/.295/.381 slash line with the Minnesota Twins — a far cry from his past success at the plate.