Nimmo for Semien?

[Centerfield]

So rounding out my thoughts on this.

They definitely wanted to move Nimmo's contract. I think they felt it was going to age poorly, and that if they didn't move it now, they'd be stuck with it until the end. I also think that Nimmo, while still productive, stood in the way of how Stearns wanted to construct this team. So he gets shipped out for another bad contract. And though bad, at least the contract is shorter, and Semien provides good defense. For now anyway.

Some have speculated that this means the Mets will be in on Bellinger or Tucker. I think that could be true, but not necessarily. I think one of the main reasons this contract was moved, was because the Mets can only have so many long-term contracts bogging them down, and specifically, they didn't want Nimmo, Lindor and Alonso all aging at the same time. Right when Soto is in his prime. So part of this move was to remove an aging player from the equation. I don't know that they'd be so quick to add another aging veteran (though admittedly, Tucker is younger than the others).

What I think this does, is make it more likely that we bring Pete back. We can have one aging, bad defense, home grown player. But two would have been too much. Similarly, we can have one bad defensive outfielder (Soto), but two is too many.

If I had to guess, here's what I think happens next.

1. Soto moves to LF.

2. Pete gets re-signed, if the deal is 4 years or less. If it's 5, then Pete is gone.

3. I think they leave a corner OF spot open for Benge. So no Tucker, unless his market craters. More likely, we get some veteran, maybe like Adolis Garcia, who can hold it down until Benge is ready, and potentially platoon with him if Benge struggles against lefties.

4. I think they will look for a real centerfielder for the short term. Maybe Bader. Maybe Luis Robert Jr. But again, no long term commitment with an eye toward AJ Ewing hopefully taking over. Maybe Acuna gets some run there. He's playing CF in winter ball.

5. Semien gets the starting 2B job. But it's not guaranteed for long. If he continues to struggle, eventually they give that spot to Jett, or Mauricio. Or whoever is showing that they've earned it. Hopefully someone will. I think they try to move Semien whenever possible. This could be easier than moving Nimmo. Semien doesn't have a NTC. And because he was traded, 10/5 rights don't kick in. Maybe a SS gets hurt on a contender and they will see an opportunity to unload him.

6. I think they will pursue Bellinger, Okamoto, or some other veteran that will give them positional flexibility. The level of bat will depend on whether Pete comes back or not.

7. They offset the loss of offense by spending money on pitching. Run prevention. Plus the defense is a lot better.

8. If the offense struggles, or if the kids aren't showing they're ready, they will look to add a bat at the deadline.

[Benjamin Grimm]

In 2025, between Brooklyn, Binghamton, and Syracuse, Benge played 67 games in center field against 48 in the corners (22 in left and 26 in right). So I think it may be more likely that the Mets would add a corner outfielder at let Benge play center if they're confident that he'll be ready. And even if they're unsure, they can still add a corner guy and let Taylor and/or McNeil play center until Benge is ready.

[Gwreck]

Friendly reminder that Carson Benge started 2025 in Brooklyn, at A ball. And had a .178/.272/.311 line in his 24 games in Syracuse.

I do not think the Mets will (and they certainly should NOT) “leave a corner OF spot open” for him. The Mets are not a rebuilding team, and failing to make necessary upgrades to the roster because of the hope that prospects (even the most highly regarded prospects) will break out is a recipe for disaster.

If Benge is that good, he’ll win a job in spring training or force his way onto the roster mid-way through the season. Anointing him a starter now is crazy talk, in my view.

[Edgy MD]

If I had to guess, here's what I think happens next.

1. Soto moves to LF.

2. Pete gets re-signed, if the deal is 4 years or less. If it's 5, then Pete is gone.

3. I think they leave a corner OF spot open for Benge. So no Tucker, unless his market craters. More likely, we get some veteran, maybe like Adolis Garcia, who can hold it down until Benge is ready, and potentially platoon with him if Benge struggles against lefties.

4. I think they will look for a real centerfielder for the short term. Maybe Bader. Maybe Luis Robert Jr. But again, no long term commitment with an eye toward AJ Ewing hopefully taking over. Maybe Acuna gets some run there. He's playing CF in winter ball.

5. Semien gets the starting 2B job. But it's not guaranteed for long. If he continues to struggle, eventually they give that spot to Jett, or Mauricio. Or whoever is showing that they've earned it. Hopefully someone will. I think they try to move Semien whenever possible. This could be easier than moving Nimmo. Semien doesn't have a NTC. And because he was traded, 10/5 rights don't kick in. Maybe a SS gets hurt on a contender and they will see an opportunity to unload him.

6. I think they will pursue Bellinger, Okamoto, or some other veteran that will give them positional flexibility. The level of bat will depend on whether Pete comes back or not.

7. They offset the loss of offense by spending money on pitching. Run prevention. Plus the defense is a lot better.

8. If the offense struggles, or if the kids aren't showing they're ready, they will look to add a bat at the deadline.

 

That is a lot of moving pieces you are anticipating. But what of McNeil?

[Benjamin Grimm]

To the fans I’ll always hold near and dear:

There is truly no way I could adequately put into words how much my tenure with the Mets has meant to me. All I can say is thank you. Thank you Mets fans for embracing and welcoming a kid from Cheyenne, Wyoming to the Big Apple. I always aspired to become a big leaguer—I never knew I’d have the opportunity to accomplish that dream in a city so wildly passionate about the game of baseball. The last 14 years have felt like a dream, and it has been an absolute honor to share them with you. You made me feel like family, and I hope you felt the same. I will always be grateful for our time and memories together. With love, always 🧡💙

[Centerfield]

Friendly reminder that Carson Benge started 2025 in Brooklyn, at A ball. And had a .178/.272/.311 line in his 24 games in Syracuse.

I do not think the Mets will (and they certainly should NOT) “leave a corner OF spot open” for him. The Mets are not a rebuilding team, and failing to make necessary upgrades to the roster because of the hope that prospects (even the most highly regarded prospects) will break out is a recipe for disaster.

If Benge is that good, he’ll win a job in spring training or force his way onto the roster mid-way through the season. Anointing him a starter now is crazy talk, in my view.

 

Yeah, to be clear, this is not what I'm saying should happen. This is what I'm guessing will happen. And it's just a guess, for whatever that's worth.

And to be further clear, I didn't say that they would leave the spot completely open. I said they would likely sign a veteran to hold down the spot until he's ready. Like Adolis Garcia or, to answer Edgy's question, maybe McNeil is asked to cover it now that he's no longer needed at 2B. I don't see the Mets going long term on a corner OF (like Tucker) when they feel Benge is about ready to break through.

The reason that I think this is because Stearns said about a million times that he's focusing on run prevention. He also mentioned that players were not being put in their optimum positions. So with someone like Benge, I'm guessing Stearns envisions him eventually settling down in RF. He also said that a good team will provide avenues for young players to contribute. So I doubt he'd sign Tucker to pair with Soto and block Benge indefinitely.

Now, what I think he should do, is completely different. I haven't revisited my preferences since the Nimmo trade. But I tend to agree that a contender shouldn't go into a season depending on Benge, or Jett, or anyone else to contribute. Think of how long Baty, Alvarez and Vientos struggled. I mean, you have to let them play, but you can't count on their production.

I think I would have kept Nimmo. I think he has two productive years left. Then you let him Marte out the rest of his contract. I would keep McNeil.

[Edgy MD]

I would keep Nimmo too, and let him be Nimmo. Maybe Eric Chavez and Jeremy Barnes take free-swinging Nimmo with them.

I like that you made a verb out of Marte.

[MFS62]

I don't think the Mets will be looking for a left fielder as much as a right fielder.

IMO, with Stearns' stated purpose of upgrading defense, the Mets may consider moving Soto to left, or his more appropriate position -DH.

There are still many options to be explored. It's still way too early to know how this will shake out.

And, let me be the first to predict that Nick Morabito will be playing CF for the Mets before Jett Williams. He's the best defensive center fielder of all the in-house options mentioned.

Later

[Centerfield]

If I had to guess, here's what I think happens next.

1. Soto moves to LF.

2. Pete gets re-signed, if the deal is 4 years or less. If it's 5, then Pete is gone.

3. I think they leave a corner OF spot open for Benge. So no Tucker, unless his market craters. More likely, we get some veteran, maybe like Adolis Garcia, who can hold it down until Benge is ready, and potentially platoon with him if Benge struggles against lefties.

4. I think they will look for a real centerfielder for the short term. Maybe Bader. Maybe Luis Robert Jr. But again, no long term commitment with an eye toward AJ Ewing hopefully taking over. Maybe Acuna gets some run there. He's playing CF in winter ball.

5. Semien gets the starting 2B job. But it's not guaranteed for long. If he continues to struggle, eventually they give that spot to Jett, or Mauricio. Or whoever is showing that they've earned it. Hopefully someone will. I think they try to move Semien whenever possible. This could be easier than moving Nimmo. Semien doesn't have a NTC. And because he was traded, 10/5 rights don't kick in. Maybe a SS gets hurt on a contender and they will see an opportunity to unload him.

6. I think they will pursue Bellinger, Okamoto, or some other veteran that will give them positional flexibility. The level of bat will depend on whether Pete comes back or not.

7. They offset the loss of offense by spending money on pitching. Run prevention. Plus the defense is a lot better.

8. If the offense struggles, or if the kids aren't showing they're ready, they will look to add a bat at the deadline.

 

Looking back on my predictions.

1. Yup

2. Yup

3. I didn't see Tucker entertaining a short term deal, but in the end, they left a corner OF spot for Benge. Yup.

4. Yup.

5. Yup, so far. We'll see if he eventually loses his spot. Obviously won't lose it to Jett.

6. Half credit maybe? They didn't really pursue Bellinger, and they didn't pursue Okamoto at all. But they did sign Polanco, who is a veteran with positional flexibility.

7. Nope. They didn't spend money on a starter. Traded prospects instead.

8. TBD.

[MFS62]

And, let me be the first to predict that Nick Morabito will be playing CF for the Mets before Jett Williams.

Later

 

The odds on this prediction are looking pretty good.

Later

[Gwreck]

As in November, I remain unenthused about our outfield other than Soto. Feels like the team is still short a bat.

Maybe Benge will prove me wrong and it’s a repeat of 2019 Alonso….but this sure feels like a hole Stearns hasn’t adequately addressed.

[Benjamin Grimm]

I agree. The outfield is questionable. It could turn out to be pretty good, if Robert rebounds and Baty or Benge settles into right field.

But it's also possible that neither of those things happen, and the outfield will provide two weak lineup spots.

[Centerfield]

As in November, I remain unenthused about our outfield other than Soto. Feels like the team is still short a bat.

Maybe Benge will prove me wrong and it’s a repeat of 2019 Alonso….but this sure feels like a hole Stearns hasn’t adequately addressed.

 

It might be short several bats. There is upside to the young guys, but batters 5-9 could be pretty terrible.

5. Baty .633 OPS in 2024

6. Alvarez .710 OPS in 2024

7. Vientos .702 OPS in 2025

8. Robert .657 OPS in 2024, .661 OPS in 2025

9. Semien .699 OPS in 2024, .669 OPS in 2025

It's not a stretch for all 5 batters to have a sub .700 OPS. If that happens, it won't matter how good Benge is.