Mets' David Stearns doesn't rule out addition at 3B/DH, talks plan for Mark Vientos and Brett Baty

With Opening Day in under two weeks, and the Mets previously engaged with free agent third baseman/designated hitter J.D. Davis, it has led to questions about the plan for Brett Baty and Mark Vientos.

So it came in handy that president of baseball operations David Stearns had a pre-planned spring training news conference on Friday, where he addressed those questions.

Without discussing Davis or J.D. Martinez specifically, Stearns shed light on the Mets' thought process as they decide how to assemble the roster and dole out playing time.

"There are always gonna be discussions going on," Stearns said. "I'm not gonna comment on any specific discussion. There are always going to be ongoing discussions internally and externally about ways we may be able to add."

Regarding Baty and Vientos, Stearns praised them for working on their defense. As far as what they need to do offensively at this point, he noted that they have to get their timing down.

Stearns also said that he expects Baty and Vientos to be "primary" options for the team on Opening Day.

But that does not preclude an external addition.

While Stearns has maintained all offseason that the plan is to give significant playing time to the Mets' young players, he added a slight caveat to that on Friday.

"I've also been consistent that that needs to happen over the course of the year," Stearns said regarding playing time for the younger players. "It may not need to happen exactly on Opening Day. It can, and we're still sorting through that."