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NEW YORK, NEW YORK - AUGUST 01: Mark Vientos #27 of the New York Mets walks to the plate during the second inning of the game against the San Francisco Giants at Citi Field on August 01, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images)
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The New York Mets made some big changes after a disappointing playoff miss last year.
After the team cut ties with Pete Alonso, Edwin Diaz, Jeff McNeill and Brandon Nimmo while bringing in Bo Bichette, Freddy Peralta, Marcus Semien and Luis Robert Jr., the Opening Day roster will look considerably different. But the team is still anchored by Francisco Lindor and Juan Soto and several of its rising stars have held onto their spots.
The Mets will be giving Tyrone Taylor and Bretty Baty more chances to build on strong individual seasons from last year. And the front office also appears to be sticking with Mark Vientos, who once showed significant promise before taking a step back last season.
Vientos could stick on the Mets’ big-league roster in a designated hitter role, but he slashed just .233/.289/.413 last year after slugging 27 homers with 71 RBI in the 2024 campaign.
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New York Mets Slugger Mark Vientos Enduring ‘Tough Spring’ With Roster Spot In Question
But as his downslide carries those offensive concerns into next season, it’s fair to wonder when the Mets might consider demoting him to the minors.
“It’s been a tough spring thus far for Mark Vientos,” John Flanigan wrote for SNY. “Competing for his share of playing time in camp, the right-handed hitting infielder got off to about as rough a start as you could see before leaving the Mets for the World Baseball Classic… With much more competition for at-bats this time around, he’ll have to start finding grass over the next few weeks to carve out a regular role.”
Vientos has just one hit in 21 Spring Training at-bats following Saturday’s game and manager Carlos Mendoza was asked for an evaluation. He sent a five-word message that seemed aimed at stifling concerns.
“He's just not getting results,” Mendoza said, per NJ.com ‘s Max Goodman. “Yesterday, 0-for-4 with two balls at 100 mph. First at-bat today, 105. I think he's in a good place, he’s just not getting results.”
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New York Mets Manager Carlos Mendoza Addresses Mark Vientos Concerns
Vientos once seemed to be the Mets’ third baseman of the future, but that role will be occupied by Bichette, who is moving from shortstop for the first time in his career. Vientos is also an option at first base, though that position is earmarked for Jorge Polanco.
While Mendoza pointed to some positive underlying metrics for Vientos’ preseason, the young slugger will need to post results from the plate sooner rather than later if he wants to hold onto his emerging role with the Mets. After a disappointing season, the team will be laser focused on earning enough wins to reach the playoffs.
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