Recent reports suggest that free-agent first baseman Pete Alonso might have limited options and could end up returning to the New York Mets, the team he has played for his entire career. Alonso reportedly turned down an offer from the Mets, and no attractive deals from other teams have materialized.
However, the Mets may already have a potential replacement for Alonso in-house, according to a report from the New York Post. The team is reportedly considering Mark Vientos, one of Alonso’s teammates, as a candidate to take over at first base.
“Mark Vientos hasn’t been exceptional in his brief time at first base, but there is some confidence within the organization that he can manage the position if needed,” the Post stated.
The Mets’ recent decision to pivot away from re-signing Alonso after he declined their latest offer has elevated Vientos as a strong contender to make the transition to first base.
Whether Vientos can handle the position remains uncertain due to a lack of experience. In his three-year career, Vientos has logged just 89 innings over 14 games at first base. Drafted in the second round of the 2017 MLB Draft (59th overall) from American Heritage High School in Plantation, Florida, Vientos was teammates and close friends with current Boston Red Sox first baseman Triston Casas.
While Vientos has struggled defensively at third base, his natural position, the Mets have tolerated his shortcomings due to his growing offensive production. Fangraphs’ advanced metrics showed Vientos with a disappointing -6 Outs Above Average (OAA) at third base in 2024, signaling defensive struggles. Despite this, Vientos hit 27 home runs and posted an .837 OPS in 2024, his first season with over 100 games played.
It’s worth noting that Alonso’s defensive numbers have been even worse. Fangraphs recorded him with a -8 OAA at first base last season, highlighting significant defensive challenges.
Be the first to comment