How Brandon Nimmo is already showing his leadership skills in 2023

The New York Mets had a very busy offseason. One important move they made was re-signing their star center fielder Brandon Nimmo to an 8-year deal worth $162 million.

This deal was significant for multiple reasons. First of all, the market was very light in the outfield, especially center field. It was basically Nimmo, Aaron Judge, and everyone else. Secondly, the Mets showed not only the fanbase but their roster that they were serious about signing their homegrown talent.

When healthy, Nimmo has been an integral part of the Mets lineup and he had his best statistical season in 2022. His role will be even bigger heading into the 2023 season and beyond. With this new contract and the fact that he has a chance to be a Met for life, Nimmo is ready for the next step: being a leader.

Mets outfielder Brandon Nimmo is already showing his leadership skills

With the World Baseball Classic taking place in a couple of weeks, the Mets are set to lose about half of their starting roster to the event. Now don’t get me wrong, I love the WBC. I think it is great for baseball. I just wish it was at another time. You know, maybe after the World Series.

I don’t like it taking place during the spring when the teams are trying to build chemistry and consistency. As much as I want to see the top Mets prospects get every chance to show us what they got, I still want to see the 26-man roster get into a rhythm.

This is why I like Nimmo’s decision not to participate in the tournament.

The fact that he decided to sit this one out and focus all of his attention on preparing for the big club shows how ready he is to take on leadership responsibilities. Not to say that it makes any of the Mets heading to the WBC less of a leader. I just find what Nimmo has decided to do admirable.

Nimmo not only knows his body but knows that he just signed this huge contract and he wants to live up to it. He felt a sense of responsibility to start on the right track and what better way to do that than by being ready to go to battle with the teammates you are going to see for 162 games.

I’m sure that puts a smile on Mets Manager Buck Showalter’s face. I know he didn’t sound too thrilled with losing his players to the WBC. Now he can work with Nimmo and help him improve on what was a very successful 2022 season on and off the field.

It’s not the most ideal situation for the Mets to go through but if there is anyone that could assume a leadership role on this team it is definitely Brandon Nimmo. 

Hopefully, his hard work, desire, and dedication to this organization radiate throughout the entirety of spring training all the way through October.