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

3) Lars Nootbaar

This feels very realistic yet not quite so satisfying in left field. He’s a good energy guy, but doesn’t seem to bring any fantastic skills to the field. Lars Nootbaar was someone Jeff Passan told us to keep an eye on as a Kyle Tucker backup plan. The St. Louis Cardinals outfielder has only hit over .250 once in his career and with average home run power, he’s not enough of an improvement for what the lineup could still use.

That’s the reality for the Mets, though. Any external help they get in left field, outside of something more blockbustery, is going to end up feeling less like the middle of the order solution we were hoping Tucker could be.

Nootbaar shouldn’t cost a whole lot which might be one of the reasons why we were told to be on the lookout for him. He has played all three outfield positions and although he’s another lefty, he hasn’t been all that different against southpaws versus righties. Lifetime, he’s a .236/.329/.361 hitter against left-handed pitchers. Versus righties he’s slashing .244/.345/.422.

Nootbaar fits an immediate satisfaction, but doesn’t necessarily match what the Mets should focus on from a longer vantage-point. A minor consolation but not one I think the Mets would do, acquiring him could push Juan Soto into left field. Nootbaar has better overall numbers as a right fielder.