There’s quite a bit of conversation surrounding the Mets’ third base situation.
The era of David Wright shining on the field is now a memory.
David Stearns, the team’s president, described the current dynamics as a “Carousel.”
“It’s a constant discussion. You know, the mix of players and how to allocate playing time is always in focus,” Stearns remarked before Friday’s game against the Rays at Citi Field. “We have many great players in the infield—some excellent young talents too.”
Mark Vientos, 25, has been a significant presence over the past season, participating in 111 games, boasting a 3.1 WAR, and ranking second among teammates.
However, the spotlight has been mainly on Brett Batty and Ronnie Mauricio due to Vientos’ hamstring injury. It’s been a bit of a scramble at times.
Manager Carlos Mendoza believes his choices transcend mere player comparisons.
“With 13 players to choose from, it’s not just about Mauricio or Batty,” Mendoza explained. “We’re looking ahead to what’s coming. The versatility we bring to the roster opens many paths.”
He added that his decisions about infielders aren’t solely based on matchups or opposing pitchers. Given the variety of options, it can be tricky to provide all the young talent, as Stearns noted, with enough experience.
“Honestly, I’m quite pleased they’ve had ample playing time in the first part of the season,” he mentioned.
Finding playtime will get even trickier when Vientos is back.
Vientos shared that during batting practice on Friday, his hamstring felt “better.”
“I’m aiming to push through these next few weeks,” he said. “Things seem to be moving in a positive direction.”
As he edges closer to returning, challenging discussions are brewing. It might even necessitate a move to Triple-A for someone.
“When Mark returns, we’ll need to figure out how to manage that playing time,” Stearns commented. “But we’ll address that when the time comes.”
