Mark Vientos, third baseman for the New York Mets, is going through one of the most delicate moments of his young career just as the MLB trade deadline approaches. Although he is coming off an explosive performance in 2024, the current campaign has been a rollercoaster for the 25-year-old infielder, who has seen his playing time decrease and is again in trade rumors.
After hitting a grand slam in the loss to the San Diego Padres, Vientos made a confession that surprised everyone: “I feel like I’ve never been someone who was loved. Last year was the first time I felt support, I was always that guy that no one counted on,” he said. His words were shocking, but they reflected an internal struggle that goes beyond his performance, numbers or statistics.
Mark Vientos’ 2025 performance drop: What’s going on with his hitting?
After hitting 27 home runs in the regular season and five more in the 2024 playoffs, Vientos was expected to be a mainstay in the Mets’ lineup. However, his offensive performance has dropped off markedly this season, as he is now hitting .226 with just seven home runs, 31 RBIs and a .638 OPS, well below what he showed last year.
It is clear that his impact with the bat has diminished, his percentage dropped from 14.1% to 9.1% and his expected slugging ranks him in only the 30th percentile, according to Baseball Savant
I think I was trying to be someone I wasn’t, now I’m refocusing on what I’m good at, which is hitting the ball hard and driving it well
Rumors: Will Mark Vientos say goodbye to the Mets?
With just a few days to go before the trade deadline, the Mets’ front office is open to moving pieces on the roster and Vientos is one of the most talked about names. Although the club values his years of control, sources close to the team say they would be willing to negotiate him for an immediate impact player. Even so, they see him as a more viable alternative than parting with their top prospects.
The position of Vientos in the face of the rumors was clear: “Every year I’m in trade rumors, I don’t care anymore, I just want to get better”. His manager Carlos Mendoza also spoke about it and showed confidence in the third baseman: “He is not happy with his production, but he understands that he has the opportunity to help us win games, he keeps working, striving and making adjustments“.
Beyond statistical performance, Vientos represents the figure of the player who constantly fights for his place and although he says he feels that his path has not been easy, he focuses on improving on the diamond regardless of trade rumors, whether he stays in New York or not.
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