The New York Mets are gearing up for the 2024 season with hopes of a stronger competitive showing compared to last year. As they finalize crucial roster decisions before Opening Day, they’ve opted to assign Mark Vientos to start the season in the minor leagues.
Mets president of baseball operations, David Stearns, informed reporters that Vientos has been sent back to Triple-A, as reported by Will Sammon of The Athletic.
At 24 years old, Vientos has yet to make a significant impact at the MLB level, registering a .620 OPS over 233 plate appearances last season. However, his performance in the 2024 Spring Training has shown promise, with a .795 OPS in 58 plate appearances, including five home runs and two doubles. Despite these flashes of potential, the Mets aren’t ready to guarantee him a starting role at this point.
Vientos primarily served as a designated hitter during Spring Training, and his defensive skills, primarily at third base but also occasionally at first base, are still a work in progress. While he refines his game with the Syracuse Mets, the big-league team faces the task of determining their designated hitter. While they have multiple options, none are definitive choices.
Former All-Star J.D. Martinez appears to be a top candidate for the Mets’ designated hitter role, but he will begin the season in the minors. DJ Stewart is another strong contender, although his status on the team is not yet confirmed. Veteran first baseman Ji-Man Choi won’t be on the Mets’ roster, according to Stearns, making Stewart the likely DH on Opening Day.
The Mets heavily relied on Daniel Vogelbach as their designated hitter last season, but he has since joined the Toronto Blue Jays. There’s a possibility that they envision Vientos growing into that role, especially if they need him to transition into a more permanent first baseman position in the future, potentially replacing Pete Alonso.
Zack Short, a Kingston, NY native, speaks on growing up as a Mets fan:
"I remember growing up watching the Mets basically every day… that drive to Citi Field on Thursday, putting the real jersey on for the first time is going to hit pretty special." pic.twitter.com/V33isd8Vp7
— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) March 24, 2024
Meanwhile, Brett Baty and Zack Short have secured spots on the Mets’ roster and will compete for the starting third base position. Although Baty struggled last season, he appears to be the initial choice for Opening Day, having led last year’s squad in appearances at third base. Short, who played for the Detroit Tigers last season, brings versatility and discipline to the plate, making him a valuable addition to the Mets’ lineup.
The Mets kick off the 2024 season at Citi Field with an afternoon game against the Milwaukee Brewers on Opening Day.
