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Mark Vientos Ramps Up Defensive Work as Mets Eye Brett Baty at Third

The corner infielder says he is training five days a week with guidance from new bench coach Kai Correa to sharpen his lateral range.

Overview

  • Vientos said he is taking equal reps at first and third base this offseason while emphasizing lateral movement to address team feedback.
  • David Stearns recently described Vientos as a bat-first player, indicating his playing time will hinge on offensive production.
  • After a 2024 breakout (.266, 27 HR, .837 OPS), Vientos' 2025 line fell to .233 with 17 home runs and a .702 OPS.
  • Defensive metrics flagged third base as a problem last season with -10 defensive runs saved and -7 outs above average over 556 innings.
  • Reporting indicates the Mets plan to pencil Brett Baty at third base, with Ronny Mauricio and Luisangel Acuña likely competing for a utility role, while Vientos downplays trade talk and focuses on his routine.