As the Mets prepare for Pete Alonso sign elsewhere, as SNY MLB insider Andy Martino reported after the Jesse Winker signing, the team reportedly said Marc Vientos And Brett Baty to begin training at first base ahead of the 2025 season.
Speaking to reporters Saturday during Amazin’ Day at Citi Field, Vientos confirmed that he had first “taken reps” and was preparing for a possible position change.
“They told me to do some reps, of course,” Vientos said. “I’ve been doing rehearsals out there, preparing for whatever might happen. At the end of the day, you’ve got to go, you’ve got to play. I’m just ready to do whatever it takes.” .
Vientos reportedly met with manager Carlos Mendoza and field coach Mike Sarbaugh who gave him infield drills to work on at first and third base, according to Joel Sherman of the NY Post.
In 192 career MLB games, he has played 14 in 1B, including four during the 2024 season. The 25-year-old was asked if changing positions would be difficult for him after the progress he made last year. last season, and said he was focused on doing everything he could to help the team win.
“I love playing third base, but right now my main focus is: What can I do so we can get to the World Series and win a championship? That’s what I want,” said Vientos.
“I love playing third base, but right now my main goal is, what can I do so we can get to the World Series and win a championship? That’s what I want.”
Mark Vientos was asked if it would be difficult for him to play in the field after making progress at third base last year: pic.twitter.com/Dv8N5Pdhxq
-SNY (@SNYtv) January 25, 2025
After an outstanding playoff run, Vientos is confident he can maintain this level of play through to the 2025 regular season.
“I’m very confident, that’s for sure,” Vientos said. “Like I said, I’m excited to come back. I want to get back to the same place we were last year. It was so much fun to be in this environment in the playoffs and play here in front of the best fans of the game. I just want to relive that.
He added: “It was a great experience. Obviously we didn’t do the job we wanted to do. The job is to win it all and I think we’re all going with that mindset to get there. come back and spot it and get through it.”
Vientos also mentioned that he loves the moves David Stearns and the organization have had success this offseason and are looking forward to potentially hitting behind Juan Soto.
“It’s awesome,” Vientos said. “It’s more of a ‘pinch me, I’m dreaming’ kind of feeling. It’s sick to be able to get the opportunity, I hope.”
Baty “tries to be versatile”
Like Vientos, Baty told reporters he had discussed with Stearns the possibility of taking reps at first base and other infield positions ahead of the 2025 season.
“A few weeks ago, David reached out and said, ‘Hey, we don’t know what’s going to happen. Anything can happen. So maybe just start taking reps all over the field, including first base.’ And so, I turned around, I called, I immediately got a first base glove, had it shipped overnight And I did reps of first base, as well as second base. and third base.
“I’ll ride with my high school team and fuck around on the field too. I just try to be versatile at every position.”
Baty added that he hopes to speak with legendary Mets 1B Keith Hernandez at the Amazin’ Day event and “pick his mind” about playing the position. Hernandez won 11 Gold Gloves during his 17-year career.