NY Mets Monday Morning GM: 5 left field options not named Cody Bellinger ranked

Other than the starting rotation, the biggest hole for the New York Mets remains in the outfield. Many of the other spots on the roster look complete. Are they going to actually add another bullpen arm? Is there an additional first base option they bring in?

Left field seems to have the most fascinating choices while center field is just rehashing a lot of the same names. Harrison Bader, Luis Robert Jr., Byron Buxton, etc. might not be so probable. In left field, Cody Bellinger is the top option. Do we really think the Mets are going to cave to his contract demands?

If not Bellinger, who could it be? Shifting Juan Soto over to left field out of the equation to simplify things (that would be a top choice for what it’s worth), these are five of those better options in left field ranked from Carson Benge to what the Mets should do.

5) Carson Benge

I don’t want Carson Benge starting the year on the Mets roster as their left fielder. Center field? I’ll take it if he wins the job. The only way Benge can possibly start the year in left field is if they’ve made a significant improvement in center field over Tyrone Taylor. I just don’t think they’re going to accomplish that.

Benge has played mostly center field in the minors anyway. Setting up a situation where he’s in left field and Taylor is in center field feels a little bit empty. Taylor should be on the bench. Benge should play regularly in center field. Someone else should be in left field.

Clearly space for Benge is a priority for the Mets. Ready or not out of camp, the easiest spot on the roster to accomplish this is in center field. Start Benge in Triple-A and promote him to take Taylor’s spot. Let the pair share some playing time, giving Taylor some starts against tough left-handed pitchers.

It’s not disastrous if Benge is the starting left fielder for the Mets. It’s just not ideal because it probably means there isn’t a strong enough backup plan in place.