NY Mets minor leaguer hitting .294 in AAA gets snubbed as the Mark Vientos replacement

The New York Mets have made their choice. After officially adding Mark Vientos to the IL after fracturing his hand, they’ve decided to give Zack Short a roster spot yet again.

An infielder with a good defensive reputation but not good enough numbers to back it up rejoined the Mets shortly after getting DFA’d and reassigned to the minors when the rest of the league passed on him. An apparent favorite of David Stearns, he first played for the Mets in 2024 when he cracked the Opening Day roster. He was DFA’d and traded early in the season and returned a few weeks ago off of the waiver wire for the second time in his career.

Just a .171 career batting average, the Mets ignored several other candidates including Ronny Mauricio. Mauricio wasn’t close to an exact replica of what Vientos was able to provide, but others in Syracuse would have been interesting to have around.

There are a lot of other players we would have rather seen called up than Zack Short, one was snubbed most

Mauricio wasn’t going to sit around and not play like he would have on the current Mets roster. What about Christian Arroyo, a .294 hitter this year in the minors? Able to play multiple infield positions, his right-handed bat would have been the most direct match to replace what the Mets lost with Vientos. He has played more third base than anything else this year in the minors with appearances at first base and second base, too.

Arroyo became a free agent last month then re-signed a fresh minor league contract with the Mets. His contract likely included an opt out.

Arroyo is the clearest choice for someone who could have come up to replace Vientos. While not as versatile defensively with an ability to play shortstop or second base quite as well as Short, his offensive output is far better. It raises the same questions as the decision to DFA Dan Hammer a day after calling him up: what was the point?

Short shouldn’t play a whole lot with his biggest purpose being to serve as a pinch runner and maybe defensive replacement or alternative until Francisco Lindor is actually 100%. The Marcus Semien injury has made Brett Baty more needed at second base.

The Mets are already having trouble finding any playing time at all for Eric Wagaman who has appeared in one game all month. Elevating him into more of the Vientos role can partially explain why they held Arroyo back from a promotion.

A roster that feels a little bit clunky with a few too many lumbering players who can play some first base and corner outfield, Short gives them a bit more athleticism without the numbers.

Arroyo would have represented a change from the usual process of filling out a 26-man roster. The letterhead on this complaint says “Frustrated With Everything About 2026.” Lindor and Bo Bichette should be able to cover shortstop. Arroyo would have been suitable enough at the other three infield positions.

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