ELF-MADE MAN
With Mets in flux at third, Vientos putting in the work to improve ‘D’
Carlos Mendoza acknowledged the Mets have taken “a hit” with the loss of Ronny Mauricio, who tore his ACL playing in the Dominican Winter League.
Whether that blow leads to a different approach a third base next season is unclear. The Mets had been planning on leaving the position unclaimed, which would allow high-upside prospects such as Mauricio, Mark Vientos and Brett Baty to compete with veteran Joey Wendle for time during spring training.
“I don’t know if it changes,” Mendoza said Wednesday from Citi Field, where the new manager and the Mets hosted Queens students for their annual Kids Holiday Party. “We took a hit, and we have to revisit [it] again. But feeling pretty good with what we have. We’ve got Mark, we’ve got Joey. Obviously Brett.
“Feel good with what we got internally.”
As does Vientos, who played the elf — to Jose Quintana’s Santa Claus — at Wednesday’s party and who is trying to play himself into the top choice at third base.
Vientos’ offseason included a trip to Puerto Rico this month to spend time with Francisco Lindor, the sure thing on the left side of the Mets’ infield.
Vientos said he had planted the seed of the idea in Lindor’s brain toward the end of the season — “Whenever you’re free,” Vientos said — and Lindor reached out shortly after Thanksgiving.
Vientos stayed in an apartment complex near Lindor’s home, and for four or five days Vientos trained with the two-time Gold Glover. Days would start with a 7 a.m. workout, and Vientos shared videos online of the two going through fielding drills.
“Hard work pays off,” Vientos said. “He works his butt off every single day. I got so much out of it going over there and training with him, learning. … The way he goes about his business is eye-opening, honestly. The way he lives is a dream.”
The righty-hitting Vientos has always been seen as a bat-first player and received the bulk of his major league time last season as a DH. His bat showed signs of coming around late in the season — posting a .765 OPS with six home runs in 23 September games — but there are more doubts whether the 6-foot-4 slugger can hold down third base.
Vientos said he is happy about “how much better I’ve gotten” this offseason.
“He’s put in a lot of work, credit to him,” Mendoza said of Vientos, whom he met in person for the first time Wednesday. “He’s put in a lot of work on his body and his agility and his mobility. … He knows that defense is something he needs to work on, and he’s doing that.”
Vientos is a wild card for the third-base spot — which could be won by Baty, whom Lindor also wants to visit Puerto Rico. Baty climbed the system as the better prospect but did not perform in his first extended look in the majors, finishing with a .598 OPS while playing spotty defense in 108 games last season.
The Mets also signed Wendle, an eight-year veteran who did not hit muc (.554 OPS) with the Marlin last season but who brings strong defensive reputatio If the Mets pivot and try fo a more established infielde 39-year-old Justin Turne could make sense as a part time DH and part-time thir baseman.
The Mets have several op tions at third base but on fewer than they had last week. Mauricio is still going through tests, Mendoza said, and had not yet undersurgery gone after sustaining a right knee injury SunMendoza day. was not sure if the 22year-old could be in play at some point during next season.
The two respoke, cently and Mendoza said Mauricio was “devasthe tated.”
“I feel for kid. We all do. We know how hard he’s worked,” Mendoza said. “To get to a poin where he’s scheduled t compete for an Openin Day roster spot, and to se something like that happe … It’s hard.”