Mets’ Mark Vientos ‘taking reps’ at first base, ‘ready to do whatever it takes’ to win

With the Mets preparing for Pete Alonso to sign elsewhere, as SNY MLB Insider Andy Martino reported after the Jesse Winker signing, the team has reportedly told Mark Vientos and Brett Baty to start working out at first base ahead of the 2025 season.

Speaking to reporters Saturday at Amazin’ Day at Citi Field, Vientos confirmed that he’s been “taking reps” at first and is preparing for a potential position change.

“They told me to take some reps, for sure,” Vientos said. “I’ve been taking reps over there, I’ve been getting ready for anything that happens. At the end of the day, you got to go out there, you got to play. I’m just ready to do whatever it takes.”

Vientos has reportedly met with manager Carlos Mendoza and infield coach Mike Sarbaugh who gave him infield drills to work on at first and third base, per the NY Post’s Joel Sherman.

Over 192 career MLB games, he’s played 14 at 1B with four of them coming during the 2024 season. The 25-year-old was asked if changing positions would be tough for him after the progress he made last season, and said he’s focused on doing what he can to help the team win.

“I love playing third base, but right now, my main focus is, what can I do for us to get to the World Series and win a championship? That’s what I want,” Vientos said.

Following a breakout postseason, Vientos is confident he can carry that level of play over into the 2025 regular season.

“I’m very confident, for sure,” Vientos said. “Like I said, I’m excited to get back. I want to get back to the same spot we were in last year. It was so much fun just to be in that environment in the playoffs and playing over here in front of the best fans in the game. Just want to experience that again.

He added: “It was a great experience. Obviously, we didn’t get the job done, what we wanted to do. The job is to win it all and I think we’re all going with that mindset to get back to that spot and get through it.”

Vientos also mentioned that he loves the moves David Stearns and the organization have made this offseason, and is looking forward to potentially hitting behind Juan Soto.

“It’s awesome,” Vientos said. “It’s most like a ‘pinch me, I’m dreaming’ type of a feeling. It’s sick that I’ll be able to get the opportunity, hopefully.”

Baty “trying to be versatile”

Like Vientos, Baty told reporters that he spoke with Stearns about taking reps at first base and other infield positions ahead of the 2025 season.

“A couple of weeks ago, David reached out and said like, ‘Hey, we don’t know what’s going to happen. Anything can happen. So maybe just start taking reps all over the infield, first base included.’ And so, turned around, got on the phone, got a first base glove right away, got it shipped overnight. And I’ve been doing first base reps, along with second base and third base as well.

“I’ll go up with my highschool team and I’ll shag in the outfield, too. Just trying to be versatile on every single position.”

Baty added that he hopes to speak with legendary Mets 1B Keith Hernandez at the Amazin’ Day event and “pick his brain” about playing the position. Hernandez won 11 Gold Gloves over his 17-year career.