As the 2025 MLB trade deadline nears, speculation surrounds a potential swap between the New York Yankees and New York Mets involving two talented but underperforming young players. Jim Bowden, a respected insider from The Athletic, suggests the teams could benefit from exchanging Mark Vientos and Jasson Dominguez to reset their trajectories and address roster needs.
Once highly anticipated, both Dominguez and Vientos entered the year with lofty expectations: Dominguez as a top Yankee prospect and one of baseball’s premier young outfield talents, and Vientos coming off a breakout 2024 season with 27 home runs and 71 RBIs. Yet, through early 2025, neither player has lived up to the hype, leading both to be considered expendable assets by their organizations.
Yankees Face Urgent Third Base Dilemma
Currently, the Yankees are actively pursuing Eugenio Suarez but face stiff competition from multiple teams, and there is no guarantee they will secure him. According to Jim Bowden,
“The Yankees are pursuing Eugenio Suarez like five other teams are. If he gets traded, we are not going to know until next week. And there’s no promise the Yankees can pick him up.”
With other third base options like Ryan McMahon from Colorado and Ke’Bryan Hayes in Pittsburgh being less appealing due to various factors, the Yankees need a creative solution. Bowden proposed,
“So how do the Yankees make a contender for contender trade to solve the third base situation? I came up with the idea of Jasson Dominguez going to the Mets for Mark Vientos. Two similar talents. Change of scenery might help both guys.”
Evaluating the Players’ Potential and Fit
Jasson Dominguez, despite his struggles in the majors with a .253 batting average and 9 home runs, still exhibits potential as a future All-Star. His underperformance at the plate and defensive challenges in the outfield have stalled his development in the Yankees’ star-studded lineup, which already includes Aaron Judge, Cody Bellinger, and Trent Grisham. Bowden highlighted the team‘s depth, stating,
“For the Yankees, they’ve got Trent Grisham, Cody Bellinger, and Aaron Judge in the outfield. And [top prospect] Spencer Jones is ready. He’s hit 26 home runs in the minors, and he’s on base at a 40% clip. He’s made incredible adjustments.”
Meanwhile, Mark Vientos has seen a notable decline in 2025, batting .224 with 6 homers, hampered by injuries that have interrupted his momentum. The Yankees see potential in Vientos as a candidate for third base without having to trade premium prospects, which is a significant advantage.
Mutual Needs Could Drive a Trade
The Mets, in need of a new centerfielder, might find Dominguez appealing despite uncertainties about his ability to handle center field at the major league level. His defensive experience there in the minors and exceptional upside align with the Mets’ aims to develop young talent. Swapping Dominguez for Vientos would address positional gaps for both teams while offering the players a fresh start.
Though fans and insiders find the idea compelling, a direct exchange between these city rivals remains unlikely. However, the discussion underscores how both the Yankees and Mets are assessing their rosters and exploring innovative solutions to revive the promise of two players whose early careers have stalled.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What happened to Mark Vientos?
A. NEW YORK — Mark Vientos, the Mets’ third baseman, hurt his right hamstring on June 2 in Los Angeles. At first, he worried he might be out for a long time. However, those worries were not needed. Vientos is scheduled to start a Minor League rehab assignment on Tuesday with Triple-A Syracuse, just over two weeks after his injury.
Q. What ethnicity is Mark Vientos?
A. Vientos comes from Norwalk, Connecticut. His mom, Katy Wilmor, is from Nicaragua. His dad, Carlos Manuel “Charles” Vientos, is originally from the Dominican Republic but grew up in New York. Vientos’s dad, a New York Mets fan, taught him how to play baseball and support the Mets.
Q. Is Mark Vientos considered a rookie?
A. Career beginnings. After joining the Mets, Vientos started his professional journey with the Gulf Coast League Mets, a rookie-level team, before advancing to the Kingsport Mets in the rookie-level Appalachian League.