Because Is in Center

[Edgy MD]

Who is in center right now for the Mets?

The top five MLB outfielders the Mets have right now are Juan Soto, Brandon Nimmo, Starling Marte, José Siri, and Tyrone Taylor.

Soto is not playing center. Nimmo was moved off last year, and while he demonstrated he's certainly still capable, he was moved off for a reason.

If Nimmo's best centerfielding is behind him, then Marte's most mediocre days are behind him. His legs may continue to feel better, but they are fragile things with limits.

Taylor pretty much finished last season at the top of the depth chart, and he had a good season, but not so good as to close the book on the deal. José Siri is everything Taylor is without the "coming off a good season" part of the profile.

Oscar Azocar hasn't yet at all hit at the MLB level. But as of now, he's out of options with no obvious room on the roster.

Luisangel Acuña sure looked ready at the end of 2024, and while that may or may not be an illusion, and he may or may not be the centerfielder of the future, he's probably not the centerfielder of opening day, considering how little outfielding experience he has.

Probably. But then who?

Drew Gilbert is probably a half season behind Acoonie, and Jett Williams a half season behind that, and also has more infield experience.

So who gets the 8 on Opening Day?

[Gwreck]

Taylor if the opposing starter is a righty, Siri if he’s a lefty.

[Benjamin Grimm]

Taylor if the opposing starter is a righty, Siri if he’s a lefty.

I agree.

[Edgy MD]

That, or something very much like that, is probably the leading scenario, but two righthanded batters make for an imperfect platoon setup.

[metirish]

Not much to add , but I think we will see a lot more Acuna out there (if he sticks around )

[Centerfield]

Taylor if the opposing starter is a righty, Siri if he’s a lefty.

Curious why? They both bat right handed.

[Edgy MD]

Not much to add , but I think we will see a lot more Acuna out there (if he sticks around )

I'm kinda betting on him, but (1) probably not by opening day, (2) he looked pretty good in the infield when they brought him up, and (3) Jett Williams' mostly lost season may convince the Mets that moving him to outfield may help him catch up, which is one more reason to keep Acuña in the infield.

A lot to speculate on. Nimmo and McNeil can be the primary outfielders against righties with Siri, Taylor and Marte seeing more time against lefties.

[Benjamin Grimm]

I think there's a better than even chance that McNeil or Marte or both will be gone by Opening Day.

[Edgy MD]

"Better than even"?!

Sounds like Sky Masterson is taking some action!!

[metirish]

Better Than Ezra even

[Benjamin Grimm]

To phrase it another way, I'd be surprised if they were both still here next Opening Day, but I wouldn't be surprised if both of them were gone.

[Johnny Lunchbucket]

Better Than Ezra even

uh-oh, it was good

[kcmets]

B: It's a shame that Due To The Fact isn't an option.
L: How come?
B: Well, Because!

[Lefty Specialist]

Hafta think it's some combination of Siri/Taylor for the time being.

[Gwreck]

Taylor if the opposing starter is a righty, Siri if he’s a lefty.

Curious why? They both bat right handed.

I believe Taylor has better numbers/reverse splits against righties.

[roger_that]

We kind of know what Taylor and Siri will do. I'm more than curious to learn if Acuna can hit like a superstar. Probably not, but I'd like to find out. Nothing stops the Mets from moving him from an opening day starter back into a role-player if September turns out to be a flash in the pan.

[Edgy MD]

Taylor's lefty/righty splits are mostly even.

[Gwreck]

Taylor's lefty/righty splits are mostly even.

Hmmm. Maybe I imagined it. I thought there had been commentary that he was viewed as a reasonable option against righties because of past “successes.”

[Benjamin Grimm]

When I "agreed" above, I was assuming by the platoon suggestion that Siri batted left handed.

My guess right now is that Taylor will get more playing time that Siri, but time will tell on that one.

[Edgy MD]

Taylor's lefty/righty splits are mostly even.

Hmmm. Maybe I imagined it. I thought there had been commentary that he was viewed as a reasonable option against righties because of past “successes.”

It's certainly an option, if less than ideal. There's value in even.

Thank God that he had some gas in the tank down the stretch and into the post-season, when Bader and Martinez weren't touching righties and weren't exactly killing lefties either.

[Centerfield]

I also think it will be a combination of Siri and Taylor to start. Then whatever kid is hitting will get some run in CF. Either Acuna, Jett or Gilbert. Hopefully at least one of them will force the issue.

[Centerfield]

Also. I kinda like the thought of having Siri as a late inning defensive replacement that can end the game in one swing if it goes to extras.

[ashie62]

Siri has the inside track in my book. I don't think he is as good as Bader but he does homer more often

[smg58]

I didn't really like having two righthanded glove-first outfielders on the roster last year, and I'm not sure I like it now either.

The market options are limited. Free agency is basically a desert, unless you want Bader back. Trades? Bellinger might be a fit, and would probably only cost money, but it's more money than he's presently worth. Wilyer Abreu might be a sneaky outside-the-box option if the Red Sox are as serious about trading him to make room for Roman Anthony as people have suggested, but I'm not sure what the Sox would want in return.

As far as the in-house options go, I think Edgy's analysis is basically right. Right now it's Taylor's to lose, unless Siri shows signs of becoming a lot less one-dimensional at the plate. I could see the Mets wanting to leave room for one of those prospects to step up and claim it, but I don't see that happening coming out of spring training.

[metirish]

Played some CF