Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns said Monday that the team views Vientos as its third baseman right now, Abbey Mastracco of the New York Daily News reports.
"Right now" is key, of course, as the Mets seem virtually certain to acquire a corner infielder and that will help determine whether Vientos plays the hot or cold corner. Regardless of the position he plays, Vientos is going to occupy a spot in the middle of the Mets' lineup, perhaps batting third after Francisco Lindor and Juan Soto.
Vientos is absent from the lineup for the second game of Monday's doubleheader against Atlanta, Tim Britton of The Athletic reports.
Vientos will get a breather for the second game after the Mets wrapped up a playoff spot with their win in the first contest. Jose Iglesias will shift over to third base while Eddy Alvarez gets a start at second base.
Vientos went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in Tuesday's 5-1 loss to Atlanta.
The 24-year-old spoiled Spencer Schwellenbach's shutout bid in the seventh inning when he drove the first pitch he saw the other way for a 346-foot homer. Vientos has had an up-and-down September, but he's racked up seven hits in the last six games, including a double and two long balls, despite striking out 11 times in 25 plate appearances. He's overall had a successful first extended look at big-league pitching, posting a .270/.328/.523 slash line with 26 home runs and 68 RBI in 107 contests this season, but the Mets may need a little more from him if they're going to hang onto a wild-card spot.
