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NY Mets roster: 1 player to promote, 1 to demote, 1 to trade

The Mets still have plenty more roster moves they could make.
ByNoah Wright|
Feb 20, 2025; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets outfielder Drew Gilbert (89) poses for a photo during picture day at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Feb 20, 2025; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets outfielder Drew Gilbert (89) poses for a photo during picture day at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images | Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
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1 player to trade: Mark Vientos

Mark Vientos had an astounding 2024 season, where he slugged 27 home runs in only 454 plate appearances, with a .837 OPS, .356 wOBA, and 133 wRC+. Vientos ranked number one in all three of those stats, along with isolated slugging percentage (.249), among all National League third basemen with at least 450 trips to the plate. 

Hopes were high for Vientos heading into 2025, but he has fallen far from his expectations. In 276 plate appearances, Vientos is batting only .224/.279/.354 with a .278 wOBA and 80 wRC+. He has only six home runs, and his ISO has taken a dive to just .130. His 6.5% BB% is a tick down from his already below-average 2024 rate of 7.3%. The only positive is that he has cut his strikeout rate down from 29.7% to 23.9%. His other peripherals have also deteriorated significantly.

The most worrying drop was in Vientos’ barrel rate, from 14.1% in 2024 (top 92nd percentile) to just 7.4% this season (37th percentile). His exit velocity has taken a less drastic drop, from 91.2 MPH to 90.7 MPH, but it is still a notable decline nonetheless. Even though Vientos’ whiff percentage went from 34.4% to 30.6%, he is still below the 20th percentile and hasn’t made up for it by swinging outside the zone less frequently. His chase rate has remained mostly stagnant, at 32.3% in ‘24, to 32.1% this season.

It also doesn’t help that Vientos’ defense at the hot corner has also gotten worse. Last year, he had -6 defensive runs saved and outs above average in 886.1 innings. This year, he already has -7 DRS and -8 OAA in just 391 innings. He is tied for the second fewest DRS and the fewest OAA among anyone at third base this season.

Although Vientos’ value is down, the Mets could still likely include him in a trade package to get a decent reliever. Plus, he is only one year removed from an outstanding season with the bat in 2024. Some team would likely give him a chance. The Mets seem confident with Brett Baty at the hot corner right now, and moving Vientos could open the door for more playing time for Ronny Mauricio.

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