With each passing baseball season, Mark Vientos feels extra at dwelling in New York. It’s why he was completely satisfied to assist the Amazin’ Mets Basis hand out turkeys, containers of stuffing and different Thanksgiving gadgets to members of the group Friday, going from the Northern Manhattan Enchancment Company in Washington Heights, to Queensborough Neighborhood Faculty in Bayside.
“Giving back to the community and helping people enjoy Thanksgiving, that’s what it’s all about,” Vientos mentioned.
Vientos, who might be 26 subsequent month, wish to keep in New York with the crew that drafted him in 2017, however he is aware of that may very well be out of his management. For years, his title has been connected to commerce rumors, and this winter is not any totally different. He’s not taking note of any of them in the intervening time, selecting to give attention to what he has management over as a substitute of what he doesn’t.
“I think I’ve been doing a better job of turning my phone off and just staying focused on what’s going on in the present,” he mentioned. “I’m just enjoying family time, especially in the offseason. But we’ll see what happens. I mean, it’s nothing I can control. The only thing I can control is being ready for next season.”
Vientos couldn’t observe up on a stellar 2024 marketing campaign, struggling defensively and on the plate final season. Because of this, he was continually attempting to repair one thing in his recreation, as a substitute of counting on the basics and the knowledge of getting a longtime preparation course of. Whereas there are particular person features he’s engaged on this winter, what he’s hoping to seek out is a constant routine.
“I think the biggest thing is just having a routine in place to just stay committed to,” he mentioned. “I think when you have a routine in place and things start to go sideways, you just have something to lean back on, and I felt like, this past year, I didn’t have that. I was searching — searching the whole season. It’s not a good feeling when you’re searching and trying to have success at the same time.”
Whereas he may need tuned out the new range chatter, Vientos is tuned in to what the Mets take into consideration his protection. Drafted as a 3rd baseman with the flexibility to play first base and left subject in an emergency, Vientos has by no means been recognized for his glove. He made great strides on the sizzling nook in 2024, solely to regress in 2025.
It price him taking part in time. Brett Baty, his good good friend and longtime teammate, outplayed him down the stretch. The Mets are presently planning on penciling in Baty at third base. Ronny Mauricio and Luisangel Acuña will doubtless compete for the utility infield spot in spring coaching.
The place that leaves Vientos is unknown.
Final week on the basic supervisor conferences, president of baseball operations David Stearns mentioned the taking part in time for Vientos will rely upon his bat, labeling him a “bat-first” participant.
Vientos heard the feedback and took them in stride. He’s working onerous on his protection, taking equal reps at first and third this winter, hoping to enhance his lateral vary, one thing the group has requested him to work on.
“I think the biggest thing is just my range factor,” Vientos mentioned. “I think when it comes to the metrics, range is where I’m deficient. I’m just trying to work on my lateral movement, trying to make it as challenging as possible when I work this offseason, and trying to get the best out of [myself].”
Vientos has been in contact with the brand new coaches, particularly bench coach Kai Correa. A recognized defensive whiz who was employed to assist the Mets enhance their run prevention efforts, Correa is nearer in age to the gamers than most of the coaches at 37 years outdated. Vientos discovered a connection early on with Correa, a local of Hilo, Hawaii. Vientos’s girlfriend is from Hawaii as nicely.
“Whether I could become an average defender or above average defender, we’ll see,” Vientos mentioned. “But I’m working to maximize my potential, and I think right now, what I’m focused on is the range aspect. That’s what all of the coaches are kind of like pushing me towards.”
If he took any offense to the criticism from Stearns, it doesn’t present. They appear to have achieved little to decrease his enthusiasm for this winter work interval, and the season forward. Vientos took a while to go to Oahu to see the place his girlfriend grew up, buying and selling baseball for mountain climbing and snorkeling, pushing himself exterior of his consolation zone within the water.
However as soon as he returned to his offseason dwelling close to Miami, he was able to get again to work.
“I feel like this is weird to say, but after last season, the way it didn’t work out, I feel excited going into the offseason,” he mentioned. “There’s just so much to get better with, and so much to look forward to in the following year.”
NOTES
The Mets non-tendered left-handed relievers Jose Castillo and Danny Younger, in addition to right-hander Max Kranick on Friday afternoon. Kranick is recovering from flexor tendon restore surgical procedure, whereas Younger is rehabbing from Tommy John.
The membership got here to phrases with heart fielder Tyrone Taylor on a one-year contract for $3.8 million. All different gamers on the roster have been tendered contracts.
