Options for Mets to Fill Left Field Hole
The New York Mets traded outfielder Brandon Nimmo to the Texas Rangers for second baseman Marcus Semien. As a result, the Mets find themselves with a hole in left field. Here are some internal and external options for filling that spot.
Free Agency
There are two big-name free agent outfielders this offseason, and the Mets could be in play for both of them.
Cody Bellinger hits the market after a stellar season with the New York Yankees. He slugged 29 homers and drove in 98 runs this year. Bellinger spent most of his time in left field with Trent Grisham patrolling center field and Aaron Judge in right. In addition, Bellinger has played first in his career, which is also a potential hole for the Mets with long-time Met Pete Alonso hitting free agency.
Bellinger would also improve the Mets’ defense, which President of Baseball Operations David Stearns has preached this offseason.
“I’ll keep harping on run prevention,” Stearns said after the season. “That is where we fell short this year.”
Kyle Tucker is the other notable outfielder. In his lone season with the Chicago Cubs, Tucker hit 22 homers, drove in 73 runs, and stole 25 bases en route to his fourth straight All-Star Game appearance and second Silver Slugger. Entering his age 29 season, Tucker stands to get a deal well over $300 million and around a decade long.
While Tucker is better offensively than Bellinger, his defense isn’t ideal, which was one of the reasons why the Mets traded Nimmo. Tucker would be a great fit in the lineup, but in the field there would be some concerns, which Stearns is looking to minimize.
Embed from Getty Images
Trades
The Mets could also explore the trade market to fill the left field hole.
The Cleveland Guardians explored the possibility of trading outfielder Steven Kwan before a late season surge into the playoffs. While not generating much power, Kwan has been a good contact hitter and an excellent defender throughout his career, winning a Gold Glove in all four seasons.
Embed from Getty Images
Jim Bowden of The Athletic reports the Guardians are open to moving Kwan this offseason. If the Mets feel like their best option is via the trade market, Kwan could be an excellent match.
Currently on Roster
The Mets don’t necessarily have to look outside the organization to fill Nimmo’s spot.
Semien’s acquisition means that Jeff McNeil has been pushed out of his natural position. However, he’s played outfield regularly throughout his career and could play left field next year.
“I think Jeff, by virtue of his positional versatility, still has the ability to impact our team in a variety of ways,” Stearns said to reporters on Monday. “What exactly that’s going to look like is probably going to have to wait until we watch the rest of the offseason unfolds.”
The Mets could also shift Juan Soto from right field to left. Stearns has preached so far this offseason that the team needs to be better defensively. Putting Soto in left field, which is better for weaker defenders like him, could help the team.
However, that would then open a hole in right field, which the Mets would then have to find a solution for.
Embed from Getty Images
Minor Leagues
Another possibility is to give one of the Mets’ prospects a shot in left field.
“We’ve got a number of young outfielders who we think are going to contribute at the major league level over the course of next year,” Stearns said to reporters Monday.
Carson Benge had a stellar first full pro season after being drafting in the first round out of Oklahoma State in 2024, hitting .281 with 15 home runs, 73 RBI, and 22 stolen bases in 116 games. He started the year in High-A Brooklyn and finished in AAA-Syracuse.
Stearns said to reporters at the GM Meetings two weeks ago that Benge will have a chance to be with the Mets on Opening Day.
The Mets could also give Jett Williams a shot. A middle infielder coming out of high school, Williams has played a lot of outfield coming up through the minors. In 130 games split between AA-Binghamton and Syracuse, Williams hit 17 homers and stole 34 bases.
However, putting Benge or Williams as a Game One starter would be a risk, so there’s no guarantee that they’ll be ready to play at the major league level.
Stearns said Monday he can’t say what the starting outfield will be on Opening Day.
“I think it would be too early for me to really determine how our outfield alignment’s going to shape up,” he said.
More New York Mets Articles
More MLB Articles
Main photo:
Embed from Getty Images
- Category
-
New York Mets
