When it comes to center field targets for the New York Mets, there are two things they want. One is someone who can defend the position. The other is an improvement over Tyrone Taylor.
Taylor is fine as a fourth/fifth outfielder. Over the long haul of a season, he isn’t someone you want out there regularly. Hence, the Mets seem very much in on targeting Chicago White Sox center fielder Luis Robert Jr.
A gifted defender and quick-footed player who has hit well in the past, Robert is also someone the Mets would be buying low on. His $20 million salary for the 2026 season should have the White Sox shopping him as they’re in no position to actually do much of anything with him eating up such a large portion of the payroll. He’s not the only center fielder available for the Mets to target in a trade. These three, who have appeared in offseason trade rumors, are available alternatives to Robert.
1) Jake Meyers
Houston Astros center fielder Jake Meyers has been the subject of some back-and-forth trade rumors this offseason. A strong defender and last year a good hitter slashing .292/.354/.373, he’s a tempting match for the Mets who seems to fit the theme of several other center field additions.
The Mets can’t get fooled by the offensive output by Meyers last year. His .678 OPS during his MLB career and three straight seasons from 2022-2024 hitting under .230 have him feeling more like another Taylor than an actual improvement.
We’ve seen some center field redundancy in the past with the Mets. Harrison Bader wasn’t all that much more impressive upon signing with the Mets ahead of the 2024 season. Last year’s plan of teaming Jose Siri up with Taylor never really got off the ground. It was a curious situation from the start.
The hesitancy with Meyers would come down to questioning if he’s actually any better than Taylor. Controlled through the 2027 season, he’d be an immediate replacement for Taylor who reaches free agency after the 2026 campaign. It could be a nice transition into someone else grabbing the center field gig if a prospect like Carson Benge is more destined for left field.
