If the Mets do decide to let Pete Alonso go, Mark Vientos and Brett Batty could also be affected.
Both young Mets believe they can rise to the challenge.
Both natural third basemen were asked by the Mets earlier this month to mix in defensive duties at first base, the Post's Joel Sherman first reported Friday, as the club prepares for life without Alonso. This is a sign that preparations have begun.
As long as Alonso remains a free agent, a path back to the Mets is still possible even if Steve Cohen throws cold water on the negotiating situation, but in the meantime, Vientos and Batty have the option of intervening in-house. I'm trying to make it. On the first base side are polar bear-sized shoes.
“When you see it on any platform, you can't help but notice,” Vientos said of the noise surrounding Alonso, whose absence loomed large at Fan Fest at Citi Field on Saturday. “I've been prepared for anything to happen. At the end of the day, you have to go out and play. I'm ready to do whatever it takes.”
Even if it was across the diamond from his home position.
“I love playing third base, but my main focus right now is what I can do to get to the World Series and win the World Series.” said Vientos, who played a key role in helping the Mets reach the NLCS. “That's what I want.”
Vientos has played in 84 professional first base games (70 in the minors and 14 in the majors), while Batty hasn't played first base since his sophomore year in high school.
But the Mets will have options at the two corner infield spots heading into spring training, barring further roster moves.
Batty Director of Baseball Operations David Stearns said he was contacted “a few weeks ago” and asked to cover “the entire infield, including first base.”
So the 25-year-old, who added second base to his repertoire in Triple-A last year, quickly grabbed a first base mitt overnight and began using it the next day during a workout at his home in Texas.
“[First base] “It's still pretty new to me, so I'm still trying to figure it out,” said Batty, who will wear the new No. 7 jersey after relinquishing No. 22 to Juan Soto for a private return. He spoke while putting it on. “I think ground balls will come as easily as third base or second base.I think it will just be the footwork to receive the throw.”
Manager Carlos Mendoza declined to say Saturday who would be the starting first baseman from the roster currently being assembled two weeks before the start of spring training, but said the Mets have options at both corners. insisted.
Mendoza listed Jared Young and non-roster invitee Joey Meneses as additional options at first base, and the third base pairing (if Vientos takes over first base) includes Batty and Luis Angel Acuña (the Mets will have reps at the position). He said that this may include the following: ) and Ronnie Mauricio.
“We keep saying, our young players will get a chance,” Mendoza said.
Vientos, who didn't make the squad from camp last season, finally got his chance and made the most of it.
With an .837 OPS and 27 home runs, he has become an integral part of the top half of the lineup, and believes he can carry that success into 2025 no matter what position he plays.
“Certainly, I'm very confident,” Vientos said. “I'm excited to be back. I want to be back where I was last year. That environment, the playoffs, and just playing in front of the best fans in the game was just so much fun. I just want to experience that again.” is.”
