TAMPA — Last spring, the Mets caught some heat for assigning their top prospects to Triple-A Syracuse out of camp. Then-general manager Billy Eppler said he wanted Francisco Alvarez, Brett Baty and Mark Vientos to “master” their positions in Triple-A. It wasn’t long before the trio arrived in the big leagues and they were all expected to return to the big leagues this year as well.
At some point, they will. But a year later, only two of the three “Baby Mets” will be at Citi Field on Opening Day, while another one, Mark Vientos, starts the season in Triple-A, despite having seemingly mastered minor league pitching.
Baty, his close friend, feels for him.
“It’s really hard because he’s put in so much work and everybody has seen it,” Baty told the Daily News over the weekend. “But it’s hard for me too because we are really good friends on and off the field. So just to be able to see him put in all that hard work and know how hard he has gone about his business and stuff like that, it’s been really hard for me to see. But he knows it’s a business, as do we all.”
Vientos was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse over the weekend, with the Mets acting swiftly in deciding the early season fate of the third baseman/first baseman/designated hitter. A right-handed hitter, he’s blocked by Pete Alonso at first base and the Mets are committed to using Baty again at third. Vientos was expected to get the bulk of the at-bats as a right-handed DH, but then the Mets signed J.D. Martinez on Thursday and he seemed to know immediately what it meant for him.
Vientos found out through his agent at Roc Nation Sports about Martinez joining the Mets on a one-year contract Thursday night, shortly after the Mets arrived in Tampa for an overnight spring training trip. The Mets cut him Saturday morning.
“He’s frustrated, but he’s a professional,” said president of baseball operations David Stearns. “I think he certainly would have preferred if he had gotten the other news and stayed with the major league club. I would expect frustration. But now, his challenge is to turn that into motivation to do everything he can to get back. And I think he will do that.”
Baty thinks he will as well.
“I said to him, ‘An Opening Day roster is only a roster for one day,’” Baty said. So I think it takes close to 50 or 60 guys throughout a full season. And knowing Mark, we’re going to see him again really soon. Wherever he is, he’s going to mash. So yeah, I’m looking forward to seeing him again real soon.”
Vientos led the Mets with five home runs in Grapefruit League play before he was sent to minor league camp. He slashed .225/.333/.451 with seven RBI and five walks in 18 spring training games this year.
Give credit where it’s due, the Mets have been transparent about their decision-making. The Mets have informed their pitchers that one will be cut Wednesday when they decide on their Opening Day roster. They told OF/DH DJ Stewart that they are continuing to monitor the waiver wire for someone who they may deem worthy of his roster spot.
Stearns said he is confident in Stewart’s ability to play first base when needed, but he’s not a first baseman. Should one with more experience at the position and a left-handed bat become available on waivers, the Mets might make a claim.
With Baty in the big leagues, the 24-year-old Vientos is expected to play third base in Triple-A. The Mets want him to improve his footwork around the bag and his “pre-pitch ready position.”
Offensively, they want him to control the strike zone against right-handers. He has a career average of .197 against righties with 7 home runs and 17 RBIn (164 plate appearances).
There’s no heat to catch this year from fans about the decision. Martinez, a six-time All-Star, is an impactful bat. None of this has deterred Vientos, according to Baty. He’s too confident to go down without a fight.
“No shot,” Baty said. “He’s Swaggy V for a reason. He’s going to battle wherever he is.”
