3 Mets Opening Day starters who won't be in the lineup next year and who could replace them

2) NY Mets left fielder Mark Canha will not be in next year’s Opening Day lineup

Mark Canha is on a similar deal as Escobar. His $11.5 million option for next season is a little more tempting to pick up. He had a much more productive first year with the Mets in 2023. It’s not inconceivable for them to keep him.

Canha does seem a little pricey, especially if the Mets are hoping to sign one of the big free agents next offseason. He is by no means a bad option to have out there. It just seems like they could spend more wisely on a younger or better player.

Left field options are plentiful for the Mets. What I actually envision more is for them to target a right fielder and move Starling Marte into left. The best free agent left fielder next offseason is probably Ian Happ. In right field, someone like Teoscar Hernandez could be interesting. I don’t see the Mets going there.

The way I see this front office going has them sticking with a one-year option. Cahna fits there. So would trade options like Michael Conforto, Wil Myers, or Anthony Santander. It’s early and it’s bold but the 2025 Opening Day right fielder for the Mets will be Juan Soto when he signs as a free agent.

The Mets don’t have too many reasonable options in their farm system right now to start in left field over Canha in next year’s Opening Day lineup. But because it’s a team option and not the player option like Omar Narvaez has, I feel he’s more likely to leave.