3 best Brandon Nimmo replacements if he leaves this offseason

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For the last six years, Brandon Nimmo has made a name for himself as the starting center fielder for the New York Mets. The Metropolitans’ first-round pick in 2011 has found some comfort in the leadoff spot by posting a career on-base percentage of .383 so far. 

With Nimmo being one of the few home grown players that have actually panned out well, the Mets would love nothing more than to keep the 29 year old around for a long time. However, with Jacob deGrom, Edwin Diaz, and Taijuan Walker all set to hit free agency along with Nimmo this upcoming offseason, the club might be left with no choice but to let the Wyoming native walk. 

As always when a player elects to leave a team for free agency, that club must find replacements who can perform at the same level if not better. In this upcoming offseason, the Mets certainly have some pretty good options to choose from.

1) NY Mets Brandon Nimmo replacement: Pirates outfielder Bryan Reynolds

The 2022 Pittsburgh Pirates were sellers at this year’s trade deadline a little less than a month ago. Sending away guys like Daniel Voegelbach and Jose Quintana has the Buccos poised for another rebuild. Bryan Reynolds was one of their better pieces that they chose to keep. With the Pirates still a few years away from sniffing contention, would they be inclined to trade their switch hitting 27 year old center fielder who is on path to reach arbitration after 2023? 

If so, what better spot for him to land than where his former teammate Daniel Vogelbach currently resides. When taking a look at the numbers, Reynolds is someone who compares very well to Brandon Nimmo. They both currently have an OPS+ of 127 while Reynolds has a higher career average and on base percentage. 

The Mets would most likely have to send multiple highly touted prospects in return to the steel city, but after boosting their farm system thanks to a great 2022 draft, it’s safe to say the Mets have room to spare if it means they’re getting a player like Bryan Reynolds.

2) NY Mets Brandon Nimmo replacement: Orioles outfielder Cedric Mullins

The Baltimore Orioles are currently in a different position than the Pirates. After three 100+ losing seasons in the last four years, the O’s have finally made a leap towards the right direction as they currently find themselves in the thick of the American League Wild Card race with September right around the corner. Cedric Mullins has been a big piece of that young core. 

With that being said, after this year, the 27 year old is set to enter arbitration and the Orioles have yet to make it known as to whether or not they plan to offer a long term extension. If they plan to trade the 2021 All-Star, now would be the time as they could look to get multiple MLB ready players (i.e., Mark Vientos).

The 2022 Mets have had a lot of success in many areas of the game this year but there is one thing they have lacked: speed. Only two players on this ball club have north of three stolen bases this year (Marte, who has 17, and Lindor with 13). Fittingly enough, Cedric Mullins is coming off of a 2021 campaign in which he joined the 30-30 club (30 HRs and 30 SBs) while stealing another 25 bases so far this season. With a career batting average nearly identical to Nimmo’s to add to the speed he brings to the table, Cedric Mullins could slide in as the perfect leadoff hitter in Queens. 

3) NY Mets Brandon Nimmo replacement: Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge

While getting a player like this to come across town seems like a bit of a long shot, the Mets would not need to give up any prospect to get Aaron Judge, just some of Steve Cohen’s money. 

The Yankees’ outfielder reportedly turned down a big offer from the club last offseason and it does not sound like the two sides have resumed negotiations since. Both Bryan Reynolds and Cedric Mullins are great players, but neither have ever had the season that Aaron Judge is currently having. He might need to split time in center field with current Met, Starling Marte, who was moved to right field when he arrived in Flushing this year but any time you get the chance to add a player that’s arguably the best in the game, you can find ways to make it work. 

The Mets also already have multiple players on the current roster that could slide into the leadoff role, such as Starling Marte and Jeff McNeil, so why not build a lineup that would include Aaron Judge and Pete Alonso, making the Mets a force to be reckoned with. It would certainly put a dent in the hearts of those who root for the team that plays in the Bronx.

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