Alderson: “Conforto In Center Could Be Long-Term Solution”

The trade deadline has come and gone and the Mets didn’t move a single position player.

Asdrubal Cabrera is still a Met, Neil Walker stood pat, but more importantly, the Mets couldn’t find suitors for Jay Bruce and Curtis Granderson.

Brandon Nimmo is back with the major league team and Juan Lagares is slated to start a rehab assignment with Double-A Binghamton, meaning the Mets will yet again have a plethora of outfielders.

With Bruce still on the team and likely to receive a qualifying offer for next year if he survives through the waiver trade deadline on Aug. 31, the Mets outfield will be packed yet again.

Michael Conforto‘s natural position is right field, but Mets general manager Sandy Alderson said Monday that playing him in center field may be “the long-term solution.”

Only two position players were dealt on Monday prior to the non-waiver trade deadline, which saw pitching as the hot commodity.

Bruce, who the Mets acquired at last year’s deadline, has yet to have a market pick up for him since he joined the Mets a year ago.

That’s not a knock on Bruce. He’s been fantastic for New York this season, clubbing 27 homers and 72 RBI in a year where many didn’t expect him to even be on the team.

With it becoming increasingly more likely Bruce is in Queens yet again in 2018, the outfield alignment may very well be Yoenis Cespedes, Conforto and Bruce from left to right.

If Bruce’s success carries over from this year, the Mets are prepared to keep Conforto in center to have both of their bats in the lineup.

While Conforto’s natural position may be right field, he sure didn’t show it over the weekend when he made a beautiful catch in center with shades of Juan Lagares.

Bruce and Conforto are both incredible athletes, and it has shown on both fronts. Bruce isn’t having too shabby of a season in right either.

An outfield corps of the aforementioned players minus Granderson who very likely won’t return next year is appealing, but at the very least, Conforto will be your everyday center fielder with Bruce in right to finish off the season.