NY Mets: 4 internal Michael Conforto replacements for 2022

Jeff McNeil seems to have a new primary position every year, doesn’t he?

You may recall seeing Jeff McNeil play a lot of right field back in 2019. You weren’t dreaming. He played 300 total innings at the position and started 38 games.

Ideally, McNeil remains the team’s starting second baseman. An issue that could arise is the return of Robinson Cano. The team has yet to release him (probably because they can’t while he is suspended) and that causes a logjam at the position. Cano could ride the bench, however, I suspect he’d get at-bats as a second baseman and possibly DH more often than any of us would like—if the Mets don’t release him.*

*I’m trying to write it into existence.

Even without us factoring Cano into the situation, McNeil is a possible starting right fielder for the Mets next year. The free agent market for outfielders is not a strong one. That could lead the club to look at a second base upgrade in the open market or via trade.

Looking further down the road, a full-time move to the outfield for McNeil may even open up second base for a prospect like Ronny Mauricio. He’s clearly not going to play shortstop often when he makes the majors with Francisco Lindor locked up for a decade. The sooner McNeil moves to a new position and gets comfortable, the quicker we could see the path clear for Mauricio to become the team’s future second baseman.

Deep in my soulless heart, I do think there’s a strong possibility we see McNeil as the starting right fielder next year. Re-signing Javier Baez to become the starting second baseman then moving McNeil is also one other possibility to consider.

J.D. Davis is a darkhorse candidate for right field next year

J.D. Davis has played more innings as a pitcher than a right fielder in his major league career. The position-less man with a good bat, moving him to right field would be a project but also one to open up a few new opportunities.

We all know the Mets have zero plans of keeping Davis as their third baseman for the next several years. They have prospects they really like who can play the position. His reputation as a poor defender at the hot corner with only flashes of genius with the glove should have him in perpetual motion.

Davis should never get comfortable in the field until he shows he can play defense at an above-average rate for a lengthy period of time. Unable to accomplish this thus far, could trying him out in right field work?

I think it’s far more likely that we see Davis traded this winter than actually start on Opening Day in right field for the 2022 Mets. With him, though, I never want to rule anything out.

Davis has surprised everyone with what a terrific hitter he was in 2019 and has continued to be even with a somewhat disappointing campaign in 2020. Nobody’s favorite choice to play right field, if he remains with the Mets, at least this can give them a chance to also consider some other third basemen out there.

A combination of Khalil Lee and Kevin Pillar is a cost-effective option

I’m sure Steve Cohen looks to save money sometimes. If Warren Buffet can eat at Mcdonald’s, Cohen can go cheap in right field to start one season.

Khalil Lee may have struggled during his time with the Mets earlier this season. Still a top prospect in the system, a strong finish to 2021, an even better spring, and maybe a lack of options for the Mets could lead him to becoming a candidate for right field next season.

In addition to lee, I want to lump Kevin Pillar in there. Pillar’s contract includes a player and a team option for 2022. I think he’ll be back one way or another. Significant time in right field could be the way the Mets use him.

Something to consider with this option: why wouldn’t the Mets just move Nimmo to right field? Furthermore, would they really not find an outfield bat to replace Conforto?

If the Mets were to head into 2022 with Lee and/or Pillar as the projected starter in right field, the straits have gotten very dire.

I think the Mets will 100% add an outfield bat this winter if Conforto leaves. It might not be a right fielder, though. Their best option probably would be to find a gifted center fielder and allow Nimmo to move to right field. The potential presence of a DH could even open the door to Dominic Smith playing first base, Pete Alonso becoming the regular designated hitter, and an additional left fielder with pop joining the ball club.

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Like I said from the start, it’s not such a worry right now. In fact, I hope from this you can take a sense of calmness knowing everything will be okay.