The New York Mets underwent a big transformation in their infield through the offseason. After losing slugger Pete Alonso in free agency, New York snagged Jorge Polanco to take his place at first base, while also signing Bo Bichette to a $126 million contract, and acquiring Marcus Semien in a trade with the Texas Rangers in November.
Bringing in three starting caliber infielders is good news for the Mets as a team, but for third baseman Mark Vientos, the transformation is pretty unsettling.
Vientos has had a tumultuous spring: in seven games with the Mets during Spring Training, he is just 1-for-21. He also played for team Nicaragua in the World Baseball Classic, where he went 2-for-15 with six strikeouts.
Despite his struggles so far, Mets’ manager Carlos Mendoza isn’t worried about Vientos picking it up at the plate before the regular season starts.
“[On March 13] he had an 0-for with two balls hit at 100 mph, the first at-bat [March 14] it was 105 off the bat — I think he’s in a good place, he’s just not getting the results,” Mendoza said Saturday.
Vientos Still Confident in His Game Despite Struggles
Mark Vientos is no stranger to battling for his playing time. A former second-round draft pick, he spent the large majority of his first six professional seasons in the minor leagues. Even though he’s had two straight strong MLB seasons, he still finding himself fighting for his spot with the team.
“This isn’t anything new,” Vientos told Max Goodman of NJ.com. “Coming into the league, it was an earn your stripes type of situation — I earned them, I was playing every day. I feel like this year might be the same thing — it’s just earn at-bats and that’s fine, I’ll earn them, I’m ready.”
With Bichette slated to be the Mets everyday third baseman and Polanco the same at first, Vientos’ two regular spots seem to be filled by players with more tenure and success than him. This may relegate him to the designated hitter role, which he has filled in 93 of his 311 career MLB games.
Vientos has seven more Spring Traning games to get right before decisions are made as far as the regular season roster goes. Though it doesn’t seem likely that he’ll be relegated to AAA, his role as an everyday MLB player may be in jeopardy if he doesn’t turn things around soon.
Vientos Coming Off Two Strong Seasons With Mets
Vientos has been a very solid player for New York the last two seasons. Though his 2025 season was a bit of a regression from 2024 when he slugged 27 home runs he still proved that he is, at worst, a mediocre big league bat.
Mets fans won’t soon forget Vientos’ special playoff run in 2024, when he came out of nowhere to be one of New York’s most valuable players on its run to the NLCS. In 13 games in the 2024 postseason, Vientos hit .327 with five homers and 14 runs batted in.
That clutch player still lives inside of him, now he just needs to unlock it once again as he heads into a meaningful season for the Mets, who themselves have plenty to prove to the league after their collapse in 2025.
Mets’ Carlos Mendoza Sends Clear Message on Mark Vientos Ahead of Opening Day