What the Mets' backup plan should be if Brandon Nimmo signs somewhere else

There is still so much that the New York Mets need to figure out this offseason. Most of the work that needs to be done revolves around the pitching staff. However, New York’s starting center fielder and leadoff hitter has also hit the free agent market and has gotten much attention from other teams around the league. If the Mets are unable to keep Brandon Nimmo, they need to be ready to attack with backup options. 

Mets need to be ready incase Brandon Nimmo leaves

Coming to New York as a 2011 first round draft choice, the expectations were high for Brandon Nimmo. In his seven seasons with the Mets, Nimmo has certainly lived up to the hype in every aspect of his game. A career .269 hitter with a .385 on base percentage and an excellent glove in center field is exactly what the Mets were looking for when they drafted the now 29 year old. 

The outfield free agent market this offseason is very weak behind American League MVP Aaron Judge. This has led many teams to reach out to Nimmo. If Brandon decides to leave Queens and take his talents elsewhere, who should the Mets look to replace him with?

With the Seattle Mariners making a deal to acquire Teoscar Hernandez from the Toronto Blue Jays, it seems clear that the M’s do not plan to bring back corner outfielder Mitch Haniger. The former All-Star spent most of 2022 on the injured list but had a breakout season in 2021, hitting 39 home runs while driving in an even 100 RBIs. If the Mets wanted to consider Jeff McNeil their leadoff hitter, Haniger could be a great fit to slot into the middle of a Mets lineup that is looking for more power. 

We all know that Mets’ owner Steve Cohen loves to spend. I personally think that Mitch Haniger would be a perfect fit for this Mets team, but if Cohen wants to make another big splash, keep an eye on infielder Trea Turner. Now you might be reading this saying that the Mets don’t need another infielder, which is true. But New York has a very flexible player in Jeff McNeil. The reigning NL batting champ has a lot of experience in the outfield. It is very possible for the Mets to bring in Turner, plug him in at second base, and just move McNeil to a corner outfield spot. 

The former Washington National and LA Dodger is a .302 career hitter who also can hit the ball out of the ballpark at will, as he has 124 career home runs. 

The Amazins can move Starling Marte to center field, keep Mark Canha in left, and make Jeff McNeil their everyday right fielder. A move like this also can keep McNeil in the middle of the Mets’ lineup with Trea Turner already having a lot of experience as a leadoff hitter from his time in Washington. 

Brandon Nimmo has been nothing but a fan favorite during his time in Flushing and it would be great to see him stay. But I believe I speak for many Mets fans when I say the thought of Francisco Lindor and Trea Turner teaming up as New York’s middle infield for years to come is a really good way to move on from Nimmo.