The New York Mets are entering a new chapter-and it’s one without Pete Alonso. After the slugger signed with the Baltimore Orioles in free agency this winter, the Mets were left with a significant hole in the middle of their lineup.
Their response? A bold two-year, $40 million deal for Jorge Polanco, signaling a shift in both personnel and philosophy.
But the Polanco signing didn’t just plug a gap-it created a ripple effect across the infield. With Polanco expected to take over at first base, and Marcus Semien, Francisco Lindor, and Brett Baty likely holding down second, short, and third respectively, the Mets suddenly have more infielders than they have positions. That surplus has made Mark Vientos the odd man out.
According to MLB Network’s Mark Feinsand, Vientos is now firmly on the trade block. “The Mets right now have a glut of infielders,” Feinsand said.
“They just signed Polanco. He’s going to play first base.
They’ve got Semien at second. Lindor at short.
Baty likely at third. Mark Vientos, Luisangel Acuña, Ronny Mauricio-a lot of infielders on that team-not enough spots for them all.”
It’s a tough turn for Vientos, who looked like a breakout star just a season ago. In 2024, he turned heads with 27 home runs, a .266/.322/.516 slash line, and a 134 OPS+, good for 3.1 bWAR in just 11 games. That kind of production hinted at a player ready to take a major step forward.
But 2025 told a different story.
Across 121 games, Vientos hit .233/.289/.413 with 17 home runs, 61 RBIs, and a 97 OPS+. The power dipped, the on-base percentage fell, and the overall impact at the plate just wasn’t the same. For a team looking to retool and contend in a tough NL East, the Mets may not have the luxury of waiting for Vientos to rediscover his 2024 form.
Still, that doesn’t mean he’s without value. Far from it.
Vientos is just 26, with four more years of club control. That kind of contract situation is gold for teams looking to add affordable upside.
While his glove remains a work in progress-he’s a below-average defender-his bat still carries intrigue. There’s real belief around the league that, in the right situation, Vientos could find his rhythm again.
“He is young,” Feinsand added. “And I think there are going to be other teams that look at him and say, ‘There’s not going to be a spot maybe at the Mets there, but there’s a spot that we can find for him.’”
In other words, Vientos might not fit into the Mets’ current puzzle, but that doesn’t mean he won’t be a key piece somewhere else.
With the infield logjam in Queens growing tighter and the Mets clearly shifting toward a new roster construction, don’t be surprised if Vientos is wearing a different uniform come Opening Day. The raw power is still there.
The ceiling hasn’t disappeared. And in a league always hungry for right-handed pop, Mark Vientos might just be one change of scenery away from reigniting his breakout flame.