New York Post
· collected 2026-09-07 · by Mark W. Sanchez
Mets prospect Mark Vientos is struggling with defensive play at first base this season, committing six errors in his past 13 games and ranking 39th among 40 players with at least 100 innings of experience. Vientos' lackluster performance may lead to him being replaced by Jared Young or Jorge Polanco next season, who are seen as more reliable options against righty pitching. The article notes that Vientos is still effective against lefty pitching and has a strong track record in this area, but his overall defensive skills and ability to hit righties remain a concern for the team. This development could impact Vientos' future with the Mets.
Written by the local model on 2026-09-07,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Mark Vientos, a third baseman for the New York Mets, has struggled with errors at first base this season. In a recent game against the San Francisco Giants at Citi Field, he committed another error, which may raise concerns about his future with the team. The Mets are considering retaining Jared Young, a reliable player who can handle first base and designate for assignment (DH), leaving an opening for a right-handed hitter to complement him. Vientos' recent performances may indicate that he's not a priority for next season, which could lead to him playing for his future in these September games.
Written for “Mark Vientos' Mets Future” on 2026-09-07,
grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.
Why this leaning score
The article's own words the score was based on. Each is quoted
verbatim and was checked against the article text before being
stored, so you can find it in the original.
Leaning score -0.35 for article 6568 (medium confidence, 2 verified quotes) · logged 2026-09-07
The emergence of Jared Young “is real,” David Stearns contended Friday, which further suggests the Mets will plan to retain the reliable first base/DH type who plays enough defense and is capable against righty pitching.
uncertain
who → contend → pitching
Bringing the lefty-hitting Young back in the same role (while presumably giving the switch-hitting Jorge Polanco another shot) would create an opening for a righty-hitting complement who can crush lefty pitching and hold his own at first base — a job Mark Vientos has not run with this season.
asserted
Vientos → bring → season
Try it freeAmong the data the Mets hope to collect during a lost September is whether Vientos can be counted on, particularly defensively, next season.
asserted
counted → try → September
Vientos’ latest round of auditions did not start well.
asserted
round → start → auditions
Naturally a third baseman whose lack of mobility moved him off the spot, Vientos received another look at first Sunday and committed another error in what became a 4-2 win over the Giants at Citi Field.
asserted
what → move → Field
During the fifth inning, Christian Koss cueballed a grounder that Vientos said had “weird spin.
asserted
Vientos → cueballe → spin
“It started like on the foul line and ended up to the right of me, so it was just a weird one,” said Vientos, who was unable to knock it down and allowed Koss to reach second and lead runner Drew Cavanaugh to make it to third.
asserted
Cavanaugh → start → third
“It was a tough play,” interim manager Andy Green added before also referencing the spin.
asserted
Green → add → spin
“… It’s a play he expects to make and we expect him to make.
asserted
him → ’ → ?
The play did not end up costing a run, with Christian Scott and Nate Lavender striking their way out of trouble, but it will be one more play that works against Vientos in roster discussions this winter.
asserted
that → end → discussions
Among 40 players who had logged at least 100 innings at first base entering play, Vientos ranked 39th in Outs Above Average.
asserted
Vientos → log → Average
Stretching back to before the hand fracture that cost Vientos almost eight weeks, he has committed six errors in his past 13 games at first base.
asserted
he → stretch → base
He spent much of Sunday morning working on picks and footwork around the base with several coaches, including bench coach Kai Correa, but if he is making progress, it is not tangible.
asserted
it → spend → progress
“I think as the year goes on, I’m feeling more and more comfortable with the position,” Vientos said.
asserted
Vientos → think → position
The Mets were happy to put up with Vientos’ defense in 2024 — at third base, primarily — because his bat forced its way into daily lineups.
asserted
bat → put → lineups
But what once looked like a breakout, 27-homer, .837-OPS season is looking more like an aberration.
asserted
looked → look → aberration
Last year and this year, he has struggled against righty pitching.
asserted
he → struggle → pitching
He remains a force against southpaws — against whom he owns an .899 OPS with eight home runs in 104 plate appearances this year — and in today’s game, there are not many righties who consistently crush lefties, which helps Vientos’ cause.
asserted
which → remain → cause
But it is still difficult to squeeze that one tool onto a roster if he cannot offer much on defense or hit righty pitching, especially because he cannot be optioned to the minors.
asserted
he → squeeze → minors
- 47 Brand logo cap
- 1986 eco tote bag
- Mets fiber beach towel
- 14-ounce sculpted relief mug
- Customizable jersey
- Color block logo backpack
It is possible Vientos, who is set to reach arbitration for the first time this offseason, is playing for his Mets future, but that is not how he thinks of these September games.
asserted
he → set → games
“I’m just here playing games, enjoying the time with my teammates and having fun,” Vientos said.
asserted
Vientos → ’m → fun
