The Padres are looking to kick their retool year into gear, as they attempt to fill vacancies across their infield, their starting rotation, and potentially at catcher. Luckily for A.J. Preller and company, there are many different approaches the team can take when following this process, as the free agency and trade markets fluctuate on a day-by-day basis.<\/p>\n
One approach that the Padres could follow is to poach from one team in particular, a team that seems to be hitting the reset button for no apparent reason. That team is the New York Mets.<\/p>\n
New York has seen Pete Alonso, Edwin Diaz, Jeff McNeil, and Brandon Nimmo depart<\/a> in one slow, painful exodus. The Mets completed one of the biggest collapses in recent memory, going from starting the season 45\u201323 and in first place in the National League to missing the playoffs altogether. We\u2019re sure Frank the Tank was happy about that<\/a>.<\/p>\n With this unprecedented start to David Stearns\u2019 offseason, the Padres could be in the running for a couple of Mets players to fill in their holes on the roster.<\/p>\n Below are five players in particular who could be best suited in San Diego.<\/p>\n Ranking the top 5 Mets the Padres should target if trade talks heat upLuisangel Acu\u00f1a<\/p>\n The younger brother of Ronald Acu\u00f1a Jr could use a change of scenery. In 2025, the 23-year-old slashed .234\/.293\/.274 with a 63 OPS+, prompting a stint in AAA. However, being such a young player with four-tool upside, this would not be a bad trade for the Padres. Acu\u00f1a plays excellent defense and runs the bases well, and most importantly, can play second base.<\/p>\n With San Diego looking to get Jake Cronenworth\u2019s contract off the books via trade, Acu\u00f1a could fill in nicely as the next man up.<\/p>\n Mark Vientos<\/p>\n Another Met who could benefit from a change of scenery. Mark Vientos failed to follow up on what was an incredibly promising 2024 campaign, where he posted a 3.1 WAR season with an .837 OPS. Not only was he bad, but his WAR was in the negatives, meaning he was actively hurting the Mets.<\/p>\n Similar to Acu\u00f1a, Vientos can play second base in where he would be a solid, cheap replacement for Jake Cronenworth<\/a>.<\/p>\n Jonah Tong<\/p>\n The Mets are still looking to boost their starting rotation this offseason, and while the idea of trading Jonah Tong may contradict those plans, it just needs to be heard out.<\/p>\n New York has found their ace in Nolan McLean, who is considered an untouchable in trade talks. With the team removing Brandon Nimmo and Jeff McNeil from their books, there is more money to spend on starting pitching, perhaps on a pair of southpaws such as Framber Valdez and Ranger Su\u00e1rez, who are still on the market.<\/p>\n