After a 27-homer campaign over 111 games in 2024, then third baseman Mark Vientos felt like one of the true breakout stars of the game and a future cornerstone of the Mets' lineup. In the 169 games since, Vientos has managed just 23 homers, has a slugging percentage of just .405, and is closer to being an DFA candidate than he is a central piece for the Mets. He was handed the reins to first base six weeks ago after Jorge Polanco's injury , and he has done almost nothing with the opportunity. On the season, Vientos owns a .653 OPS with just six homers, both marks that fall incredibly short of what fans hoped he would be able to produce in a full-time role for the first time since 2024. Polanco has been on the IL retroactive to April 15, and Vientos has been effectively the Mets' only first baseman in the time since.…