QUEENS, NY: The New York Mets are designating veteran infielder Joey Wendle for assignment. Andy Martino of SNY reported that New York was planning to recall No. 9 Mark Vientos from AAA Syracuse.
Wendle's time in Queens was not as good as expected. The former All-Star inked a $2 million free agency contract with New York.After he struggled to a .212/.248/.306 line in 112 games with the Marlins the previous season, it was a buy-low move.
This season, Wendle didn't get off to a much better start. He batted .222/.243/.250 in 18 games and had one extra-base hit (a double). In 37 trips to the plate, he drew one walk and punched out nine times.
Carlos Mendoza's infield has more attacking upside when Vientos replaces Wendle. With six home runs in 31 games, the 24-year-old is off to another fantastic start in Syracuse, hitting .284/.376/.500.
Vientos is striking out at an impressive 28.6% rate, but over the course of four Triple-A seasons, he has regularly hit for power. Though he hasn't yet translated that into MLB success, he is currently a bat with a better ceiling than Wendle.
The Mets get a whole lot younger with this move and with the versatility of Vientos, 3B Brett Baty will also likely get some reps at other positions with Vientos likely to platoon. The Mets currently sit at 19-22, fourth in the NL East. The move of Vientos could provide a spark to get the Mets back on track.
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