Mets Announce Mark Vientos Move After Loss to Yankees

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | Last updated May 19, 2025 6:39 PM ET

The New York Mets dropped two of three Subway Series games to the New York Yankees this past weekend. Dropping the series finale 8-2, the Mets fell to 29-18 on the season, shrinking their lead atop the NL East standings to just a half-game.

While Sunday's final score was somewhat lopsided, that does not reflect how most of this contest played out. A six-run eighth inning blew the contest open late, with an error from first baseman Pete Alonso helping ignite the Yankees' offensive eruption.

It was also poor defense that led to the Yankees' first run of the game, as Mets third baseman Mark Vientos misplayed a Paul Goldschmidt grounder that led to a run.

Vientos' is rated as a very poor defender by Baseball Savant, with -6 OOA (outs above average) this season. This is the fourth-worst mark in all of baseball. With Brett Baty back up from Triple-A, many Mets fans were upset he was not at third base.

It is worth noting the Mets were facing left-handed starting pitcher Max Fried on Sunday, and Baty is hitless against lefties in six at-bats this season. That said, the defensive gap between he and Vientos is sizable.

On Monday, the Mets announced their official lineup, and Vientos had been moved back to designated hitter.

New series in Boston. #LGM pic.twitter.com/xm6PYnODyX
— New York Mets (@Mets) May 19, 2025

Facing Boston Red Sox right-hander Hunter Dobbins, the Mets have Baty playing third and hitting sixth. This move comes amid growing belief that Vientos will start to see more of his playing time at DH ( via Will Sammon of The Athletic), with Sunday's error further displaying why that may be the smartest move.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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