The New York Mets’ offseason was anything but predictable. Sure, there were a few moves fans and insiders alike saw coming - Pete Alonso potentially walking, Jeff McNeil being on the trade block, and Ryan Helsley somehow winding up in Baltimore - but what actually unfolded was a mix of expected decisions and curveballs that kept the offseason refreshingly unpredictable.
But amid all the moves the Mets did make, there’s one they didn’t that stands out: Mark Vientos is still here.
That’s right - while plenty of fans had Vientos penciled into trade scenarios all winter long, especially with the Mets emphasizing run prevention, the 24-year-old slugger remains in Queens. And when you zoom out and look at how the roster has taken shape, it’s a little surprising - but maybe not in a bad way.
Let’s break it down.
The Mets’ Defensive Gamble
The offseason started with a bang when the Mets shipped out Brandon Nimmo in a deal that brought back Marcus Semien, signaling a shift in roster construction. From there, though, the strategy got a little murkier. Instead of fully committing to a defense-first approach, the Mets pivoted toward building a team with offensive firepower - even if it meant sacrificing some leather in the field.
That’s where the additions of Bo Bichette and Jorge Polanco come into play. Both are capable bats, but neither is known for Gold Glove-caliber defense, especially if they’re being asked to man the corners of the infield. That move alone suggested the Mets were willing to live with some defensive miscues if it meant producing more runs.
Which brings us back to Vientos.
Vientos’ Role: DH or Bust?
Vientos has long been a bit of a defensive question mark, particularly at third base. He logged 69 starts there in 2025, but the results were mixed at best.
First base seems like a more natural fit, but even that’s still a bit of a projection. Right now, he’s slotted in as the backup to Polanco at first, with Brett Baty also in the mix depending on how the outfield shakes out.
But where Vientos really fits - and always has - is in the batter’s box. His 2024 season was a reminder of the kind of pop he brings to the lineup. He’s got a powerful right-handed bat, and with the Mets planning to rotate several players through the designated hitter spot, Vientos looks like the front-runner to carry the heaviest load there, assuming he sticks on the roster through Opening Day.
He’s inexpensive, still under team control, and if the Mets can keep him focused on hitting - rather than trying to force him into a defensive role that doesn’t suit him - there’s real upside here.
Why He Stayed
There’s a good chance the Mets originally intended to move Vientos this offseason. But sometimes the market doesn’t cooperate.
Maybe the offers weren’t there. Maybe teams were skeptical about his glove.
Maybe the Mets took a look at the available alternatives and decided they were better off keeping a young, controllable bat in-house.
Recent trade chatter involving the Pittsburgh Pirates has sparked some late-winter speculation, but unless the Pirates are offering something beyond surplus pitching, it’s tough to see a deal that makes sense. Trading Vientos now would mean subtracting a key piece of the 2026 lineup - and for what?
A bullpen arm or back-end starter? That’s a tough sell.
What to Expect in 2026
If Vientos does break camp with the Mets, expect his role to be clearly defined. Those 69 starts at third base?
Don’t expect a repeat. Think more along the lines of how the Mets gradually phased Nimmo out of center field - sparingly used in the field, with a growing focus on his offensive contributions.
First base starts should increase, but the bulk of his playing time is likely to come at DH, where he can settle in and do what he does best: hit.
And for a Mets team that’s chosen to lean into offense - even if it means living with a few defensive hiccups - keeping Vientos around might not just be a backup plan. It might be the plan.