Have the Mets found their long-term solution at third base?

After cycling through multiple options at third base, Brett Baty's strong play of late gives him a shot to seize the position for the long haul.

Jul 21, 2025; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets third baseman Brett Baty (7) rounds the bases after hitting a two run home run against the Los Angeles Angels during the fourth inning at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images | Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Seeing David Wright's number retirement ceremony on Saturday served as a fresh reminder that the New York Mets have had a hard time filling his position of third base since he finished his career in 2018.

The Mets have tried several players at the position in 2025 alone, but as of now it appears that the team's best option at the hot corner is Brett Baty.

Adam Driver approved of this Brett Baty homer 👏 pic.twitter.com/VAeHG6rZMX

— MLB (@MLB) July 22, 2025

While Mark Vientos began the year as the Mets' third baseman, his decline in offensive production and missed time due to injury forced the team to explore other options. Baty has always been a better fielder than Vientos and he appears to have started translating some of his offensive potential as a prospect into actual production, giving him a strong case to start on a regular basis.

Brett Baty in the month of July (16 G):

🔹 .282 AVG
🔹 3 HR
🔹 .908 OPS

Defensively, Baty ranks 7th this season among 3B in OAA despite playing less games at the position than nearly every other 3B in the top 15 pic.twitter.com/bTInCAeqth

— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) July 22, 2025

Since the start of July, Baty has hit .282 with three home runs and a .902 OPS, which is well above average if projected over the course of the season. David Stearns has also placed a bigger priority on defense since taking over the team's front office, making Baty's plus defensive work a big asset in his case to be a long-term answer at third.

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At a press conference prior to Monday's game, Stearns indicated that he felt the Mets had enough options in house to cover third base, with any external additions to the offense likely coming in center field. That statement further affirms New York's confidence in Baty, who they have given time to develop after a tough start to his big league career.

David Stearns says that he expects the Mets' current third basemen being the group the Mets rely on at that position for the rest of the season: pic.twitter.com/iSUz2YqEtI

— SNY (@SNYtv) July 21, 2025

Earlier editions of the Mets hoped that Baty would serve as a savior for their lineup, but over the past few seasons, other players like Francisco Lindor have filled that role. Now, if Baty can be productive in the lower portion of the order while playing plus defense, he will be extremely valuable to a lineup that has been very top-heavy over the course of the season.

Brett Baty is hitting .355 with a 1.122 OPS in his last 13 games 👀🔥 pic.twitter.com/MHcnflyqdF

— Metsmerized Online (@Metsmerized) July 22, 2025

It is also important to remember that Baty is only 25 years old and plenty of top prospects have emerged as post-hype contributors later in their careers. If the lightbulb is finally going on for Baty now, it could be huge for them to solve their third base hole both now and in the future.