5 players who are definitely entering their final days with the NY Mets

4) Harrison Bader

It has been a tale of about seven different seasons for the 2024 Mets. Center fielder Harrison Bader has only really had two. There was a successful first half and a not so memorable second one. He has fallen back to the mean and for the club to consider him back for next season would go against the way they’re using him more regularly right now. Bader has fallen behind Tyrone Taylor on the depth chart. While still a very capable and terrific defender, throwing another $10.5+ million plus at him to be a part-time player would be irresponsible when we witnessed up close how much he deflated.

Bader hasn’t been a bad Mets player. His attitude has been the right mix. He has had his clutch hits, too. The second-half fading and desire to go with Brandon Nimmo in center field even while he has slumped offensively should have the Mets looking at alternatives. They’ll actually have some coming up from the minor leagues. Everyone from Luisangel Acuna to Drew Gilbert to maybe even Jett Williams by midseason could be center field alternatives.

Paying any center fielder big money to come to the Mets next year doesn’t seem to match what they’ve evolved into. Would starting Taylor out there regularly work? Based on what he has offered them this year, it’s not a half-bad plan.