MLB Mock Trade: Mets Send Ronny Mauricio to Tigers

In this MLB mock trade, the Detroit Tigers acquire Ronny Mauricio from the New York Mets in a one-for-one swap.

Feb 21, 2026; Port St. Lucie, Florida, USA; New York Mets shortstop Ronny Mauricio (0) returns to the dugout against the Miami Marlins during the fourth inning at Clover Park. | Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Ronny Mauricio has quickly emerged as one of the more intriguing young infielders in baseball, combining switch-hitting power, speed, and defensive versatility at second and third base.

While he has yet to put together a full, breakout season at the major league level, his age, years of team control, and multi-positional flexibility make him a valuable asset for contending teams looking to add depth and upside to their lineup.

Mauricio can immediately contribute as a middle-of-the-order bat or a key platoon piece, and his potential ceiling makes him especially attractive in trades where a team is willing to give up pitching or bullpen depth.

With the Mets’ infield currently crowded, Mauricio becomes a prime candidate for a trade, allowing him to reach a situation where he can play regularly and maximize his value.

Here’s what it would take for the Detroit Tigers to acquire him.

Detroit Tigers - New York Mets MLB Mock Trade Details & Fantasy Baseball Impact

Tigers Acquire:

Ronny Mauricio (INF)

Mets Acquire:

Tyler Holton (LHP)

If Ronny Mauricio moves to the Detroit Tigers in 2026, his fantasy value jumps because he gains regular playing time that he lacks with the Mets. In 2025, Mauricio hit .252 with six home runs, three stolen bases, and an OPS of .778 across 115 at-bats, showing flashes of power and speed despite limited opportunity.

With the Tigers, he can play consistently at 2B or 3B, giving him the chance to convert that raw talent into counting stats. Fantasy owners can expect Mauricio to produce roughly 15–20 home runs, 10–15 stolen bases, and solid run and RBI totals if he remains healthy and plays every day.

His multi-position eligibility and youth make him particularly appealing in dynasty formats, while in redraft leagues, he becomes a high-upside contributor rather than a bench stash. The trade unlocks Mauricio’s potential, transforming him from a blocked prospect into a fantasy asset with multi-category value.

If Tyler Holton joins the Mets in 2026, his fantasy contribution is primarily in ratio categories rather than counting stats. In 2025, he posted a 3.66 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, and struck out 64 batters over roughly 78.7 innings, serving as a middle-to-late inning reliever with occasional holds but no saves.

Moving to a contending Mets bullpen, Holton becomes a reliable left-handed, multi-inning arm who stabilizes ERA and WHIP, providing consistent late-inning performance in high-leverage situations. He boosts team pitching stats, making him valuable in holds leagues, points leagues that reward innings pitched or ratios, and deeper redraft formats.

For fantasy owners, Holton offers immediate reliability and multi-inning utility, improving the pitching categories of a roster without requiring elite strikeout totals or closing duties.

Why The Tigers Make This Trade

Jul 13, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; New York Mets third baseman Ronny Mauricio (10) hits a double during the ninth inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. | Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

The Tigers make this trade because they are in a position where offensive upside outweighs bullpen surplus. Detroit’s roster features a bullpen with multiple left-handed or multi-inning arms, making Holton somewhat expendable, especially if they have depth behind him.

Mauricio, in contrast, offers a young, cost-controlled, switch-hitting infielder who can play multiple positions, giving the Tigers flexibility in both the short and long term.

With Mauricio’s power potential and years of control remaining, the Tigers see an opportunity to acquire a potential middle-of-the-order bat without giving up a star player, addressing a positional need while adding youth to their core.

In addition, Mauricio’s ability to play both second and third base fits Detroit’s roster construction goals. The Tigers can slot him into the infield immediately, allowing them to rest or rotate other players and potentially upgrade their lineup production.

Essentially, they are converting a bullpen asset they have in surplus into an everyday player who can grow with the team and contribute in high-leverage offensive situations.

Why The Mets Make This Trade

Oct 10, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Detroit Tigers pitcher Tyler Holton (87) throws against the Seattle Mariners during the seventh inning during game five of the ALDS round for the 2025 MLB playoffs at T-Mobile Park. | Steven Bisig-Imagn Images

The New York Mets make this trade primarily because of roster construction and contention timing. Their infield is overcrowded, with offseason additions like Bo Bichette, Marcus Semien, and Jorge Polanco joining holdovers Mark Vientos and Brett Baty.

There simply are not enough everyday at-bats available. Having already traded Luisangel Acuña, the team signals a willingness to consolidate infield depth. In this environment, Mauricio becomes the odd man out, a talented but blocked player whose development stalls in a bench or Triple-A role.

Rather than let his value plateau, the Mets convert that surplus into a present need. Holton provides immediate bullpen stability as a controllable left-handed, multi-inning leverage arm, exactly the type of pitcher a contender prioritizes in October.

He can bridge late-inning situations, handle high-pressure spots, and give Mets Manager Carlos Mendoza flexibility with matchups and workload management.