David Wright talks Mets’ third base job and youngsters battling for it
PORT ST. LUCIE — David Wright is an interested observer as to how the Mets’ two young third basemen might respond to their rookie struggles from last season.
The former Mets captain and third baseman arrived Tuesday for a two-day stint in spring training that includes promotional activities for the club and said he is open to speaking with Brett Baty and Mark Vientos if asked.
But Wright also doesn’t want to be a distraction during his short visit.
Baty and Vientos are competing for the third-base job in camp after scuffling last season and bouncing between the Mets and Triple-A Syracuse.
“I saw them both [Tuesday] and it’s tough to say how somebody looks,” Wright said at Clover Park. “But just through the drills and their body language makes me think they are a little more comfortable, just having tasted what it’s like in the big leagues.
“In some ways last year was difficult for those younger guys, but I think it’s going to help them in the long run because in order to develop you have to understand what failure feels like and how you bounce back from that failure to have success.”
Wright said David Stearns spoke to him shortly after arriving as the team’s president of baseball operations last offseason.
Wright conveyed that he is happy raising his three young children in Southern California and isn’t interested in a role within the organization.
Also, Wright said he introduced himself to manager Carlos Mendoza. But Wright won’t force himself upon the Mets’ clubhouse.
“If they want to sit down and talk, feel free,” Wright said, referring to Baty and Vientos specifically. “I don’t think I can help them much on the field or with their swing, but between the ears, dealing with New York, dealing with the ups and downs, the successes and the failures, I think I can be beneficial with that.”
As for the Mets’ chances of competing for the playoffs this season, Wright is encouraged by the team’s depth.
“You might not have the premier marquee names that you had at the front of the rotation last year,” Wright said. “But when you are playing 162 games and the injuries throughout baseball now, that depth is going to be pretty important come the middle of summer.”
DJ Stewart will receive reps at first base this spring, according to Mendoza, with an attempt to increase his versatility.
Stewart played right field, left field and DH last season, but has never appeared at first base in a major league game.
The Mets hosted a clinic for 75 Special Olympians after Tuesday’s workout. Players and staff participated in the Clinic for Champions, which has been held annually at spring training since 2015.
