With the Mets recently trading Brandon Nimmo to the Rangers for Marcus Semien — a move that will lead to aftershocks for New York as the offseason progresses — the outfield situation is in flux.
What was going to be a straightforward situation in the corner spots, with Nimmo in left and Juan Soto in right, is now anything but.
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In light of the new hole in left field, the Mets can go a number of different ways.
They could go internal, filling left and center with players already on the roster.
They could swing big for one of the left fielders on the free agent market, or turn to someone via trade to play there.
They could also go internal in left and fill center from outside the organization.
Let’s break it down…
The Internal Candidates
Before the Nimmo trade, president of baseball operations David Stearns was touting prospect Carson Benge, noting that he would enter spring training with a chance to win the starting center field job.
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While Benge might be a better long-term solution in a corner outfield spot, he could obviously be a fit in center to start the 2026 campaign if his bat is deemed ready.
After dominating Double-A Binghamton last season to the tune of a .317/.407/.571 triple slash in 32 games, Benge struggled after being promoted to Triple-A Syracuse — posting a .583 OPS. He caught fire over the last week of the season, though, reaching base 12 times in his final 31 plate appearances of the season while belting a pair of home runs, a double, and a triple.
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If the Mets go internal in center and Benge isn’t ready (or they use him in left field instead), they could theoretically go defense-first and hand the job to Tyrone Taylor.
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Taylor’s bat was an issue in 2025, as he put up an OPS+ of just 70 after being about average in 2024 (OPS+ of 98). But his defense remained elite. He was worth three Outs Above Average (in the 84th percentile), had an arm value that graded out in the 98th percentile, and his arm strength was also terrific (82nd percentile).
It stands to reason that if the Mets use Taylor as the starting center fielder, they will have upgraded the offense in multiple other spots in order to counterbalance the possible minimal offensive production from center.
Jett Williams could also be in the mix as an internal option, though it seemed notable that Stearns did not mention him as an Opening Day possibility while discussing Benge’s chances of breaking camp.
That means it’s fair to believe Williams wouldn’t be viewed as an answer from the jump.
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There’s also the possibility Williams is traded this offseason, especially now that his potential long-term home of second base is blocked by Semien.
The External Candidates
If the Mets go the free agent route for a center fielder, the most obvious fit could be Harrison Bader.
Bader had a very good year at the plate for the Twins and Phillies in 2025, hitting .277/.347/.449 with 17 home runs and 24 doubles in 146 games. He was especially strong for Philadelphia down the stretch after being acquired at the trade deadline, posting an .824 OPS in 50 games. He was also elite defensively, worth seven Outs Above Average (in the 92nd percentile).
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For the Mets, a reunion with Bader would give them a center fielder with pop and likely result in Taylor being a fourth outfielder — a role he’s better suited for than starting.
Another option could be signing Cody Bellinger and using him in center field until Benge is deemed ready. But that would seemingly leave left field unsettled.
There are also two very intriguing trade possibilities.
Jul 18, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Chicago White Sox center fielder Luis Robert Jr. (88) hits a solo home run against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the fourth inning at PNC Park. / Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Luis Robert Jr., whom the Mets had interest in acquiring at last season’s trade deadline, is available again. This time around, the White Sox — who are in a deep rebuild — are expected to deal him.
The 28-year-old will earn $20 million in 2026 and has a club option for $20 million for 2027. That means the Mets can easily move on if he doesn’t succeed, or easily retain him at a reasonable cost if he excels.
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Robert emerged as one of the best young players in baseball in 2023, posting an .857 OPS and blasting 38 homers in a career-high 145 games. But it’s been a struggle for him at the plate since — he had a .657 OPS in 2024 and .661 OPS in 2025.
The tools, including elite bat speed and an ability to use his plus speed to swipe bases (he had 33 last season) are still there, though. And Robert turned a corner offensively in the second half of the 2025 campaign, slashing .297/.350/.469 in 35 games. But his season ended in late August after he suffered a hamstring strain.
Twins star Byron Buxton is also reportedly available, but his situation is complicated.
Buxton has a full no-trade clause, meaning he can veto a trade to any team.
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He’s also struggled to stay on the field, playing 100 or more games just three times during his 11-year career — that includes 126 games last season and 102 in 2024.
When healthy, Buxton is among the most dangerous hitters in baseball and a tremendous defensive center fielder, making him a tantalizing option.