Mark Vientos returned to the Mets lineup with regularity, delivering a hot bat as he went 3-for-7 with two homers across the last two games. Mendoza stressed that the club needs him, citing his power from last season and his role as a core contributor, even as the Mets juggle three other young infielders in and out for defense and matchup reasons.

Mark Vientos' underwhelming season has led the New York Mets to consider trading the young slugger. After a promising 2022 season that featured 27 home runs and a solid postseason performance, Vientos has yet to replicate that success this year. Reports suggest that the Mets are exploring options to trade him, potentially to acquire Merrill Kelly from the Arizona Diamondbacks. Kelly, a reliable starter with a 3.22 ERA, could significantly bolster the Mets' rotation as they chase a playoff spot.

While the Mets value Vientos' future potential, his struggles at the plate have raised questions about his role on the team. They might view him as a valuable trade chip to secure a veteran pitcher like Kelly, who is set to become a free agent after the season. However, trading Vientos could also mean losing a long-term asset for a short-term gain, especially if the Mets believe he can rebound and contribute to their success.

The MLB trade deadline is rapidly approaching, and teams are preparing for potential moves to bolster their rosters. The New York Mets are open to trading some of their young infield talents, including Luisangel Acuña and Brett Baty, as they look to enhance their bullpen and upgrade in center field. Meanwhile, the Chicago Cubs are eyeing Eugenio Suárez for third base, particularly as they seek a boost during Kyle Tucker's final season with the team.

Other teams like the Oakland Athletics are considering moving starting pitchers such as Luis Severino and Jeffrey Springs to address pitching needs, while the Baltimore Orioles are focused on trading their rental players, including Cedric Mullins and Ryan O'Hearn. As all teams evaluate their options, the end of July could see significant changes in the league landscape.

As the MLB season approaches the All-Star break, savvy fantasy baseball players are looking to bolster their rosters with under-the-radar hitters. This week, several players have emerged as strong candidates for waivers, offering potential boosts in critical categories like runs, home runs, RBIs, stolen bases, and batting average.

Josh Smith of the Texas Rangers, rostered in just 36% of leagues, continues to shine at the plate, boasting a .311 average with three home runs and 18 runs scored recently. Caleb Durbin of the Brewers is another name to watch, hitting .296 with three homers and 18 runs in June. Meanwhile, Ramon Laureano has returned to form with the Orioles, hitting .312 with four home runs and leading in runs scored.

For power hitters, Kyle Stowers of the Marlins is on the rise, hitting three home runs in the last week of June, while Gary Sanchez is making a significant impact for the Orioles as well, providing solid numbers despite limited playing time. Lastly, Otto Lopez is leading the NL in RBIs this month, making him a must-roster player. As the season progresses, these players could be the difference-makers for fantasy teams.

The New York Mets are rebounding from a tough phase, winning against the Atlanta Braves after a dismal 1-10 run. However, the victory came with a significant blow as pitcher Griffin Canning was lost for the season due to an Achilles injury. The team is in a state of flux as young prospect Ronny Mauricio shares infield duties with veterans Jeff McNeil and Brett Baty. Currently, Mauricio's stats show a .226 batting average, while McNeil and Baty boast better numbers with .255 and .225, respectively, both with eight home runs this season.

Compounding the decision-making for manager Carlos Mendoza, Mark Vientos is returning from injury, creating a logjam in the lineup. Mendoza is looking to maximize roster flexibility, suggesting extended play for McNeil in center field to accommodate Mauricio in the infield. With the Mets set to face the Pittsburgh Pirates, their pitching ace David Peterson, who holds a 2.98 ERA, steps to the mound, hoping to continue the team's newfound winning momentum.