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TAMPA — J.D. Martinez is joining the Mets. What this means for Mark Vientos is unclear.
The Mets have been eager to see what they have in Vientos and Brett Baty, their two homegrown third basemen who are going into their sophomore seasons. They made it clear this winter that the two would receive plenty of at-bats during the 2024 season and conducted the offseason in a way that backed up their statements. The plan was for Vientos to get most of his at-bats as a DH while getting some games at third base as well to spell Baty.
But with the addition of Martinez, a right-handed hitter, that plan might have to be altered. The Mets signed him to a one-year contract worth $12 million Thursday night. A right-handed hitter, that brings the status of the right-handed hitting Vientos into question.
The Mets aren’t ready to say definitively that Vientos will start the season in Triple-A Syracuse, but the 24-year-old may be squeezed out.
“Look, we’ve been saying that these kids are going to get an opportunity,” manager Carlos Mendoza said Friday at George M. Steinbrenner Field. “We’ve also been saying that we would have some tough decisions at the end of camp. I’m pretty sure we will have those conversations with everyone. But the biggest thing with Mark is continuing to do the things he’s been doing. The opportunities will arise. Is that Opening Day? Is that at some point in the season?”
While the Mets have informed some players that they would be included on the Opening Day roster, others have not been told anything. Mendoza checked in with Vientos on Friday morning, though he didn’t elaborate on the details of the conversation, only saying Vientos was “OK.”
The deal isn’t official just yet so Mendoza had to be careful with his comments.
Martinez, a six-time All-Star, World Series winner and a prolific power hitter, is a huge upgrade over Vientos, who hit .211 with nine home runs and a .620 OPS as a rookie last season. However, his playing time was wildly inconsistent and part of the reason the
Mets didn’t sign anyone who could block him over the winter was because they wanted to see what he could do with consistent at-bats.
If Vientos is only going to receive sparse playing time in the big leagues, then a Triple-A demotion or a trade would be the two most likely outcomes.
The Mets could platoon him with Baty, a left-handed hitter, at third base, but carrying an extra player might mean one fewer pitcher in the bullpen, which isn’t ideal. A platoon split at third might not make sense, especially with utilityman Joey Wendle in the mix. Mendoza didn’t exactly rule it out, but Vientos and Baty both need to be playing every day.
“I wouldn’t say it’s impossible,” Mendoza said. “These are some of the conversations we’re going to have: What’s best for the player, what’s best for the organization and what’s best for the development? Those are some of the things we’re going to consider.”
Francisco Lindor found out about the news in a text message from Steve Cohen. The Mets owner and CEO typically communicates directly with Lindor and Nimmo, two clubhouse leaders on long-term contracts, when major moves of this sort are made. The Mets weren’t expecting any major moves to be made, but a respected hitter like Martinez is a welcome addition.
“We should be in a much better spot,” Lindor said. “We got a really good hitter who hit .271 with 33 home runs and [103 RBI].”
Martinez adds considerable power to a lineup that had a fair amount but nearly the same level as other teams in the NL East. He provides protection for Pete Alonso in the lineup, which might be crucial if Starling Marte’s struggles at the plate continue into 2024.
Alonso noted his World Series experience, something that could be influential in the clubhouse. Martinez, 36, has played 13 seasons for the Houston Astros, Detroit Tigers, Arizona Diamondbacks, Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers and won a World Series with the Red Sox in 2018.
“J.D. is one of those guys that has climbed a mountain before and won a World Series,” Alonso said. “I don’t think we have any players that have won a World Series. I know Francisco played in the World Series, but having that experience and having that savvy veteran presence, I feel like for him, that’s going to be big.
“He’s got a ton of knowledge, he’s super talented and he’s going to make us better.”