Roster Crunch Looms With Vientos Set to Return

It’s no secret that the Mets have been on a major slide. They’re 2–8 in their last ten games, but help is on the way. Third baseman Mark Vientos is expected to return as soon as later today, which could bring a much-needed boost to the Mets’ lineup. Additionally, it’ll force a big roster decision.

With multiple players vying for a roster spot and Vientos’ return looming, the Mets are facing a dilemma at the hot corner. Ronny Mauricio and Brett Baty find themselves fighting to stay on the big-league roster. Both made their case in Wednesday’s 7-3 victory over the Braves.

Mauricio delivered his best performance of the season, going 3-for-4 with a towering solo homer in the third inning. It was his first three-hit game in the majors, and a reminder of the power potential that had New York so high on him before a torn ACL stalled his momentum. The homer was his third of the year and showcased the raw power that makes him such an intriguing long-term piece. “It’s stupid power,” teammate Brandon Nimmo said about Mauricio a few weeks back.

After starting his season 0-for-8 over his first two games, Mauricio has hit .260/.315/.480 over 50 plate appearances. He had played 12 games at third, three games at second and started one at shortstop.

Baty, meanwhile, quietly chipped in with a 2-for-4 effort of his own, raising his average to .223. Though his season has been mired in inconsistency, he has shown glimpses of his power potential. During the month of May, he hit .290/.333/.581 before cooling off in June. All in all, he owns a .223/.271/.402 line at the dish.

Defensively, Baty has been elite at third base, and his experience at the major league level gives him an edge in terms of familiarity when it comes to the day-to-day demands of the position. His three outs above average puts him in the 90th percentile of the league, per Baseball Savant.

Jared Young remains a factor in the roster puzzle as well. The 29-year-old has provided some left-handed pop off the bench, but his spot could also be in jeopardy once Vientos is activated. Young is hitting .171/.227/.415 with three home runs and 15 strikeouts. He has only played in the field in part of one game for the Mets–three innings in left field and 13 starts at DH.

Now, the decision looms.

Vientos was in the midst of a down season before landing on the IL with a hamstring issue, but the Mets are hoping he can get back to being the guy who hit 27 home runs last season.

All three of Mauricio, Baty, and Young have cases to be optioned, and none of them have done nearly enough during Vientos’ absence to warrant regular playing time. Mauricio’s path to consistent playing time becomes even more limited if Stearns decides to keep him up. He still has long-term upside, but right now, he needs regular at-bats to find his rhythm, and those opportunities simply aren’t available at the major league level. A return to Triple-A Syracuse would allow him to play every day and continue sharpening his game after missing nearly a year of action.

And regardless of who survives this roster crunch (Baty and Young being the most likely), the clock may already be ticking — Jesse Winker’s eventual return from injury could force yet another move.

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