If you’re trying to figure out the new outfielder alignment for the New York Mets don’t panic — so are they.
Per MLB.com, Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns said that the Mets will “make specific determinations regarding the team's outfield alignment during spring training.”
That makes sense, of course. That’s what Spring Training is for.
The thing is the Mets seem to have a plethora of options right now.
The latest is Harrison Bader, who just signed a one-year deal with the Mets after bouncing around the Majors last season.
Bader will likely get his reps in center field. But there’s more to it.
Look at MLB.com’s depth chart right now and it’s actually Brandon Nimmo in front of Bader in center field. Depth charts can be a function of what happened a season ago. Nimmo played the vast majority of his games in center field a season ago as he batted .274 with 24 home runs and 68 RBI.
But his power is a better fit for a corner outfield spot, which may be why Stearns said that Nimmo felt comfortable playing in left field. He’s played 157 games at the position.
That would open up room for Bader in center, where he has played the vast majority of his games in the field. He just doesn’t have Nimmo’s power, as he’s hit 59 career home runs.
Jeff McNeil is actually at the top of the depth chart in left field, but McNeil has the ability to play several positions. The career .298 hitter played 107 games at second base in 2023, along with 32 games in left field and 41 in right field.
He’s played at least 100 games at second base each of the last two seasons and the injury to Ronny Mauricio makes it likely he’s more needed at Francisco Lindor’s double play partner.
The Mets’ other three outfielders on the depth chart are Starling Marte, Tyrone Taylor and DJ Stewart. Marte is listed at the top of the depth chart in right field and the veteran started 84 of his 85 games in right field.
If Stearns is right, the Mets could have their starting outfield already. They can then let their depth duke it out in St. Lucie at Spring Training, where prospects like Ryan Clifford can also take a run at one of the backup spots.
But, as Stearns noted, they won’t make decisions until Spring Training.
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