Mark Vientos' Future at Third Base Uncertain

Mark Vientos has been making headlines with his impressive offensive performance, particularly after hitting two home runs in a recent game. Despite his success at the plate, the New York Mets' president of baseball operations, David Stearns, remains cautious about Vientos' long-term role as the team's third baseman. Stearns acknowledged Vientos' growth as a major league player but emphasized that the focus is on the current season rather than future commitments. Since taking over the third base position from Brett Baty in mid-May, Vientos has emerged as a key contributor, leading the team in OPS and OPS-plus. His recent promotion to the top of the batting order reflects the confidence that manager Carlos Mendoza has in his abilities. Stearns noted Vientos' capacity to adapt and improve, particularly in understanding how major league pitchers approach him, which is crucial for his development. However, concerns linger regarding Vientos' defensive capabilities. According to Fangraphs, he has the lowest defensive runs saved rating among players with significant innings at third base this season. Statcast also ranks him poorly in Fielding Runs Value, indicating that while his offensive contributions are valuable, his defensive shortcomings could be problematic. As the Mets navigate their roster decisions, the future of Vientos at third base remains in question, especially with Baty working on his game at Triple-A. The team will need to weigh Vientos' offensive prowess against his defensive challenges as they plan for the upcoming seasons.