Before the Dishes exchange Brandon Nimmo to the Rangers for Marcus Semien — a move that will bring aftershocks for New York as the offseason progresses — there was no doubt what their left-field plan for 2026 would be.
That would be Nimmo, who had five seasons left on his contract.
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Yes, it was possible that Nimmo was asked to serve as a designated hitter more than in previous seasons (he spent a total of four games at DH in 2025). But he probably would have been in left field most days, with Juan Soto in right field.
Now, the possibilities are endless – not just when it comes to who the Mets turn to in left field, but also who might be moved to play center.
It’s possible that New York could get involved in the outfield, left and center, but that would be a relatively risky proposition.
Regarding left field specifically, how could the Mets fix it?
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Let’s break it down…
Internal candidates
The second the Nimmo deal became official, things got more interesting for Mets’ top outfield prospect Carson Benge.
When Nimmo was still in the fold, Benge was seen by the president of baseball operations David Stearns as someone who could break camp as a starting center fielder. Now he could possibly be considered as an option to start in left field instead.
Benge played all over the outfield last season in the minors, spending 67 games at center, 26 games at right and 22 games at left.
/SNY
Whether Benge opens the season with the Mets or gets more time with Triple-A Syracuse, he should play a big role in 2026. And what New York decides to do with Benge could also impact his fellow prospects. Jett Williams.
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Williams might have a better profile as a second baseman (the spot now blocked by Semien) than as a center fielder, so it’s possible that New York decides to move Williams to center full-time in 2026 with an eye toward making it his long-term home. This could pave the way for a Mets outfield at some point next season with Benge, Williams and Soto left and right.
However, it’s also possible that Williams could be traded this offseason – perhaps as part of a deal for a starting pitcher at the top of the rotation.
There is also the case of Jeff McNeilwhich could also possibly be distributed. But when speaking about himself after the Nimmo trade, Stearns said he spoke to McNeil after the trade fell through — saying the infielder/flyer was okay with what New York was doing.
McNeil could theoretically be a left field option for 2026. However, given his offensive profile, it’s hard to imagine New York turning to him on a regular or even semi-regular basis unless they make a significant addition to center field.
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The presence of Tyrone Taylor could also have a big impact on what the Mets do on the left. In a world where Taylor is the starting center back at the start of the season, that likely means Benge or an external acquisition is on the left.
External candidates
The two that immediately come to mind are Kyle Tucker And Cody Bellinger.
Tucker is the jewel of the free agent market. A relatively young star (he will begin his season at age 29 in 2026) who controls the strike zone at the elite level and whose The Baseball Savant page lights up red, he is expected to get a big deal this offseason.
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Whether Tucker lands anything within 10 years remains to be seen, but it will take a huge salary to snag him — especially with the Blue Jays and Dodgers possibly among his top suitors.
July 29, 2025; Bronx, New York, United States; New York Yankees right fielder Cody Bellinger (35) throws his bat as he watches his three home runs against the Tampa Bay Rays during the third inning at Yankee Stadium. / Brad Penner-Imagn Images
The Mets certainly have the money and the open roster spot for Tucker, but it remains to be seen if they’re willing to make another mega-deal after giving one to Soto last offseason.
Bellinger will cost significantly less than Tucker, but should still be paid handsomely.
In addition to being able to play all three outfield positions, Bellinger would also give the Mets a first base option – something that would be huge if re-signed. Pete Alonso but ask him to DH most of the time.
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Another thing to consider with Bellinger is that while his struggles in 2021 and 2022 appear to be an aberration, there are underlying concerns regarding his offensive production.
One of these concerns? Bellinger slashed .302/.365/.544 (.909 OPS) at the hitter’s haven of Yankee Stadium in 2025. On the road, he hit just .241/.301/.414 (.715 OPS).
There aren’t many strong spots on the free agent market beyond Tucker and Bellinger, but there is a very intriguing one who could be available via trade: the Red Sox outfielder. Jarren Duran.
Duran, who enters his season at age 29, has been a very good offensive player for Boston over the past three seasons, slashing .276/.339/.471 (.810 OPS).
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In 157 games last season, Duran stuffed the stat sheet, hitting 41 doubles, 16 homers and 13 triples, while swiping 24 bases.
He hits at a high rate and his defense has been up and down (elite in 2024, poor in 2025), but Duran — who will make $7.7 million in 2026 and is under team control through 2028 — is the kind of player it would make perfect sense for New York to pursue.
