“Look at me. I can be… Centerfield”
There’s only a few players that will be singing those John Fogerty lyrics this winter.
Yikes. Those are the three players officially listed as center fielders.
I really hope that Bellinger stays with the Cubs. We can do better things with our time this winter than having that debate.
Pillar? Been there done that. He was serviceable for us in 2021 but will be 36 in a few months.
Harrison Bader? He came through in the clutch with some big hits. He provided valuable defense with some atrocious base running. Just not sure if you can bring him back and make him the everyday centerfielder. I worry his batting average might dip below .200 if he were to face right handed pitchers.
If we expand to corner outfielders, this may be the weakest free agent class in recent memory. (After Juan Soto, Anthony Santander and Teoscar Hernandez that is.) You have names like Jason Heyward, Alex Verdugo, Rob Refsnyder and Randal Grichuk. Also, old friends Michael Conforto and Tommy Pham are available.
I’m sure David Stearns can find a diamond in the rough. I wouldn’t be too surprised if someone like Austin Slater or Robbie Grossman were seen holding an OMG sign in the dugout after a big hit a few months from now.
But, if we’re being honest, none of the options available are too attractive aside from two or three names. And you wouldn’t feel comfortable having any of those players patrol centerfield.
For the record, I do feel like we should bring back Jesse Winker. Just not to play center.
Internally? I think we can all agree that Starling Marte is not an option at this stage in his career. Brandon Nimmo may be trending in that direction as well. Our most recent memory of Nimmo is him limping around the field in the NLCS.
Plantar fasciitis is no joke.
He handled most of the center field duties for the Mets during the postseason. He hit just .135 in the playoffs but did make his few hits count.
Just like Bader, I worry if he’ll be exposed as an everyday player.
More internal options? Jett Williams and Drew Gilbert are starting to heat up in the Arizona Fall League.
They did miss most of the 2024 season with injuries though so it will be a while before we see them in Queens.
Luisangel Acuña did play a little center in the minors…
Looks like Tyrone Taylor is the best in-house option at this point. I would honestly stick with Taylor over any of the free agent options, too.
I guess the question here is when will any of the Mets prospects be ready. Do the Mets view any of those prospects as long-term solutions in center?
If it’s soon then I expect Taylor to hold the fort down until then. If not? I expect Stearns to work a trade.
Stay tuned!