Mets’ “Amazin’ Day” with ONNJ Sports in the Press Box
The Press Box Lineup for New York Mets’ “Amazin’ Day” included the likes of Brandon Nimmo, Mark Vientos, Francisco Lindor, Brett Baty, Jesse Winker, Carlos Mendoza, and others. Nimmo and Lindor couldn’t dodge the Pete Alonso free agency questions, Vientos and Baty talked about working out at first base, Jesse Winker kept it light and fun with family, Bills, and grills, and Carlos Mendoza gave us a little spring training preview regarding the infield framework.
Nimmo and Lindor: “Not Surprised” by Alonso’s Free Agency
Nimmo discussed his relationship with Alonso but affirmed he understood why the first baseman would want to maximize his earnings as a free agent.
“I would love to see Pete back with us,” he told reporters. “But I also understand that I don’t make those decisions and that’s between Pete and our front office and David [Stearns] and Steve [Cohen]. From what I understand, there have been a lot of talks between them. I’m still hopeful that we’ll sign him…
“Even if so, we’re really happy about what we’ve done this offseason. I think we’ve made our team a better team. Obviously, I love Pete. I’ve been with him for a long time so would love to see him back. And so we’ll see how that all transpires in the coming days and weeks,” Nimmo stated.
“From what I understand, there have been a lot of talks between them. I’m still hopeful that we’ll sign him.”
Brandon Nimmo was asked what is going through his mind with Pete Alonso’s free agency: pic.twitter.com/0kgxmws8q0
— SNY (@SNYtv) January 25, 2025
Known family man, Lindor’s words echoed the same sentiment,
“Surprised? I can’t be surprised with somebody’s decision. I mean, it’s his decision,” Lindor said. “Pete should maximize. Pete should make the best decision for him and his family. It’s a tough question because it’s something that, ‘Am I surprised with someone’s thoughts?’
“Pete’s been here since I’ve been here; he’s been here before me. So yeah, it would be different if he’s gone somewhere else. Yeah, it’ll be different for sure. I think he should take his time. I think he should make the best decision for himself and not feel like he’s rushed into a decision, and I’m sure he will. Pete’s smart. He’s going to get input from his wife and his family and then make the best decision for himself. As he should, he deserves it.”
Francisco Lindor says he messaged Pete Alonso to tell him he was thinking about him and he hopes he’s doing well pic.twitter.com/lXaEdUM1CQ
— SNY (@SNYtv) January 25, 2025
Vientos and Baty: Taking Reps at First Base
Vientos, who’d been previously set in the hot corner, is said to be working out at first base in the event Alonso signs elsewhere,
“It’s hard not to pay attention to it when you see it on every platform,” Vientos said of the ongoing Alonso rumors and talk. “But you just kind of focus on [being] ready to get back. I’m excited…I love playing third base,” he reiterated. “But right now, my main focus is, ‘What can I do for us to get to a World Series and win a championship?’ That’s all I want.”
Baty, who donned No. 7 after changing his jersey [No. 22] for incoming Met Juan Soto, has been playing first base here and there since he was a sophomore in high school (and had some exposure at the bag in the last four seasons),
“I think it’s really fun, honestly,” added Baty. “I’ve always prided myself on being as athletic as I can, and I think athleticism, you can show it off at any position, whether it be first base, second base, the outfield, wherever it is. I think it’s just been really fun to learn all those new positions,” he stated.
“[First base] is still pretty new to me, so I’m still trying to figure it out,” he continued. “I think the ground balls are going to come simple, just like third base or second base. I think it’s going to be the footwork, just receiving throws.”
Brett Baty in #7 pic.twitter.com/poFAl132zx
— Gab (@gabrauc) January 25, 2025
Winker’s Bills and Grills
Winker spoke to the media for the first time since his signing in early January. He was reluctant to divulge any opinions regarding Alonso’s free agency, reiterating that they’re in separate places in their careers. He did express an excitement to be back in Queens, and he is ready for anything the Mets might need position-wise.
Speaking to what it’ll be like in the lineup with Juan Soto,
“Everything he’s done speaks for itself, right? This guy’s one of the best hitters in baseball if not the best hitter in baseball. Him being left-handed is really cool for me personally, just to be able to watch him go about his daily work and his day-in and day-out approach…Last year, when I was with the Nationals, I heard nothing but amazing things about him as a person and player, so it’s going to be cool, man. Getting to play alongside him and Francisco is going to be so much fun to watch, and I’m looking forward to it.”
He went on to discuss (at length) his lifelong association with the Buffalo Bills’ “Bills Mafia,” neither confirming nor denying whether he’d put himself through a table (as their faithful tailgating fans do in almost a sacrificial way).
Winker also jokingly told ONNJ, “No Comment,” when asked if we’d be seeing his postgame grills again (they debuted in an interview last season). He went on to say that he still likes them, though he didn’t initially plan for them.
Finally got to ask Jesse about his grills #AmazinDay pic.twitter.com/3Mj7A3eXjO
— Gab (@gabrauc) January 25, 2025
Mendoza’s Spring Training Preview: “We Got Options”
Mets’ Manager Carlos Mendoza provided a lot of reassurance in a far-too-early preview of the infield framework, just two weeks ahead of the start of Spring Training for the Mets in Port Saint Lucie. From first-base fillers and everyday second baseman to the prospective third base vacancy, Mendoza was strong in saying the Mets have options across the board in Vientos, Baty, Luisangel Acuña, and Jeff McNeil.
“I think it’s just more getting comfortable with the footwork around the base…and to receive throws. As far as what you have on the roster, well, we got options…You know, we asked not only Vientos to start taking reps, we asked Baty early in this month, and we also got some depth there [first base],” the Mets’ Manager explained.
“You know, we signed Jared Young, who’s got experience…Joey Meneses is a roster invite who’s got big-league experience…[We are] two weeks from reporting the camp, and guys are going to get the opportunity. We’ll see what happens.”Carlos Mendoza on Brett Baty and Mark Vientos playing first base. pic.twitter.com/HC1aQCGjGJ
— Metsmerized Online (@Metsmerized) January 25, 2025
Mendoza also spoke about prospective infield/outfield utilityman Jeff McNeil’s position at second base this upcoming season,
“Jeff McNeil is an important part of this team. You know, with what we got in the outfield at the beginning [of the season], it’s probably going to be limited,” he said, affirming McNeil’s spot will be in the infield.
“But Jeff McNeil, he’s a big part of this team, and he’s having a really good offseason.”
Press Recap
The general consensus among the players who were present for Amazin’ Day press interviews can be summarized in five separate bullet points:
- Pete Alonso is certainly wanted back, but there is an understanding of a player’s privilege to maximize their earning potential and do what’s right for their family
- Juan Soto’s upcoming residency in Queens is going to be legendary, and he will be a key piece for the Mets’ impending success
- Jesse Winker is ready to go for wherever the Mets need him, with or without grills
- Jeff McNeil is integral to the Mets’ infield this season—Baty/Vientos/Acuña/Young/Meneses are all in the mix for infield as well
- “We’ve. Got. Options.” -Carlos Mendoza
