Mark Vientos looking more and more like Mets' next long-term third baseman

Even with franchise royalty such as David Wright and Howard Johnson owning third base for the Mets during the team’s history, the position has been a club trouble spot at times, too.

Once, the Mets traded a future baseball immortal named Nolan Ryan to try to fix their hot corner, but Jim Fregosi didn’t work out. Neither did Joe Foy, who cost the Mets a burgeoning star outfielder named Amos Otis in a swap with the Royals.

Even in recent seasons, the Mets have sought stability at third. It’s been somewhat elusive – since Wright’s last start on Opening Day in 2016, they have had six different players start the opener at the position.

Now, however, the Mets could have a long-term solution in Mark Vientos. The 25-year-old slugger enjoyed a huge 2024 season that featured, among other eye-popping items, 27 home runs and 14 playoff RBI, a Mets record for a single postseason.

“I knew they traded Nolan Ryan, but I didn’t know it was for third base,” Vientos said. To him, the idea that he could be a third-base fixture for the Mets is “super-flattering."

“I take it seriously,” he added. “And I work my tail off every day because I do want to make that happen.”

This has been a vastly different spring camp for Vientos, who spent last March hoping to earn a spot on the team while sifting through chatter that the Mets were looking to bring in a name-brand free agent that would doom his roster chances. At one point, he said he felt like he had to “prove himself two times,” but pledged to keep grinding.

Ultimately, the Mets signed J.D. Martinez, meaning Vientos started the season in the minors instead of as the Mets’ designated hitter. But Vientos was up for good by mid-May, and a breakout was in bloom at third.

“Last year, he was battling as a player,” said Mets manager Carlos Mendoza of the differences between Vientos’ last two springs. “You know, it’s a better feeling when you know you’re on the team and now you can work on, whether it’s your offense, your defense, your base-running. And that’s what he’s doing.

“Now you see a guy who is comfortable, that had success during the regular season and the playoffs and that means a lot… I’ve seen a guy that knows he belongs in the big leagues and he knows he’s a big part of this team.”

Oct 17, 2024; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets third base Mark Vientos (27) reacts after hitting a home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the first inning during game four of the NLCS for the 2024 MLB playoffs at Citi Field. / Brad Penner - Imagn Images

Mets fans have been enamored with Vientos since last season, when he hit .266 with a .322 on-base percentage and a .516 slugging. His slugging percentage ranked fifth in the National League among players with at least 300 at-bats. He hit five playoff home runs, including a grand slam against the Dodgers in Game 2 of the NLCS.

So far this spring, Vientos is 8-for-30 (.267) with two homers and five RBI.

“I was fortunate to have the year I had last year, and they give recognition for that,” Vientos said. “And that's what makes these fans so great and I appreciate it.”

But there’s more. “The team is, for sure, giving me a different type of respect” after last season,” Vientos said. “I mean, I feel like that’s just like any job you do – you kind of have to prove yourself. And I think I proved myself somewhat last year and I want to keep proving myself and keep proving myself and gain respect from my team, in the league and from fans.”

Mixing that kind of appreciation with Vientos’ own innate confidence could make for a strong concoction for the Mets. Vientos said his confidence was instilled by his parents when he was young.

“I’ve gotta give my parents credit,” he said. “I’ve always believed in myself. I always believed that I was destined for great things. And confidence is like a skill you work on for years and years.”

Hence, that nickname – “Swaggy V.” In part, anyway. “Swaggy V was kind of a name that came up just for the way I dressed,” Vientos said. “And, I mean, you could say the way I dress is because I’m confident. I do wear some flamboyant stuff, but I think it’s just fun, just me trying to show my personality.”

More of that might be coming out this spring. In camp, Vientos smiles easily and greets teammates gleefully in the clubhouse. He really does look, as Mendoza says, like “a comfortable player.”

Maybe even like the Mets’ next long-term third baseman. That would put him in some nice company.

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Mark Vientos looking more and more like Mets' next long-term third baseman

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