Love for Carson Benge confirms who the NY Mets hope can replace Jeff McNeil

What’s love got to do with it? If you’ve ever been in love, you’ll know pretty much everything. Around the time of the trade deadline, an explanation as to why the New York Mets were so willing to part with Drew Gilbert came about. It makes a lot of sense. Carson Benge is putting up monster numbers in Double-A. He is an easy favorite to become the team’s center fielder of the very near future.

Where does this leave another candidate, Jett Williams? The speedy middle infielder/center fielder is probably set up to perfectly replace Jeff McNeil.

After 2026, the Mets only have an option on McNeil which looks likely to get bought out for $2 million. By then, Williams should absolutely be a contributor in the big leagues. Without missing a beat, the Mets could have an incredibly versatile player up the middle at three different positions; center field only on certain days.

If Carson Benge is the future Mets center fielder, Jett Williams can take second base

Several contenders for the long-term gig at second base have had their chance this year. No one has played more games at the position than Luisangel Acuna. On the outskirts of the circle of trust on his best days, it’s more of a battle between Brett Baty and maybe Ronny Mauricio. Mauricio has barely played the position with the Mets favoring him at third base instead. It feels like they’re hoping Mauricio can be a third baseman while Baty continues to be competent at second base as a possible bridge between McNeil and Williams.

Even if Williams ends up primarily as a second baseman, we can expect him to serve as an option in center field as well. The Mets have been uncommitted to moving him off of shortstop regularly, leaving us to wonder exactly where he’ll fit into the club’s future plans. A bit too undersized to play anything but the middle infield or outfield, it’s his blazing speed that’ll have Williams fitting best as a center fielder capable of tracking down balls when he does exit the infield dirt.

There’s likely to be a period of time when Williams is less of an everyday player and more of a role-player with the Mets. The organization has been slow to promote, quick to demote, and refrains from throwing young players into the fire. They should be careful with Williams, too. He’ll turn 22 this November with a strong chance of making it to the big leagues in 2026. The timing lines up well with the end of McNeil’s deal.