During spring training in Port St. Lucie, Mark Vientos opened up about the New York Mets’ disappointing collapse in the latter part of last season, attributing part of the team’s downfall to an unhealthy pressure to force wins. Vientos felt that this pressure prevented the players from enjoying the game and ultimately contributed to their late-season slump.
Vientos explained,
“It’s when there’s a bunch of noise and a bunch of talking, it’s just you go out there and play and don’t have fun,”
reflecting on the mindset during the tough stretch. He added,
“It’s just like, ‘I gotta win. I gotta win.’ And I feel like we put too much pressure on ourselves last year.”
The Mets had led the majors with the best record by mid-June but then went 21-32 during the final two months, narrowly missing the playoffs by a single game.
Vientos’ Personal Performance and Challenges in 2025
Following his promising breakout season in 2024, Vientos struggled to maintain consistent play last year, finishing with a .233 batting average, a .289 on-base percentage, and a .413 slugging percentage, along with 17 home runs and 61 RBIs. Despite a strong August, his overall performance was uneven, causing him to lose his starting role and raising questions about his place in the Mets’ future plans.
Reflecting on his season, Vientos admitted, “It was just inconsistency overall.” He elaborated,
“I think it starts with the routine and stuff before the game starts. I was inconsistent in that part and then that just kind of showed in my season. I didn’t feel good for most of the year. I didn’t have a routine to fall back on, that could keep me steady.”
Position Uncertainty Amid Team Changes as Spring Training Begins
With the Mets adding Jorge Polanco and Bo Bichette to solidify the corner infield spots, Vientos faces an uncertain role entering camp. He might see some playing time at first base behind Polanco and serve as a part-time designated hitter. Additionally, the Mets are preparing him to potentially return to third base by continuing defensive drills there.
Vientos also commented on the changing team dynamics, noting that spring training will feel different after the offseason departures of Pete Alonso, Brandon Nimmo, Jeff McNeil, and Edwin Díaz. Yet he sees roster turnover as normal in baseball, saying,
“I feel like there’s always a new group of guys every year, so it’s not really something different.”
He finds comfort in familiar teammates remaining on the roster:
“I have [Brett] Baty still, I have [Francisco] Alvarez, [Ronny] Mauricio. Those are guys I have known since the beginning and they are still here with me, so it’s awesome to be around them still.”
Outlook for the Mets and Vientos’ Role Moving Forward
After the Mets’ narrow playoff miss and Vientos’ inconsistent second year, the organization is at a crossroads with its roster composition and player roles. Vientos appears determined to leverage spring training to regain consistency and make a meaningful contribution despite uncertainty about his regular position.
The pressure the Mets faced last season and their collapse serve as important lessons, emphasizing the need for balance between competitiveness and mental composure. How Vientos and the team respond this year will be crucial in determining if they can overcome last year’s challenges and achieve sustained success.
