Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Following the Game 3 loss to the Padres that knocked the Mets out of the 2022 playoffs, the majority of the Mets were in their post-game clothing and answering questions pertaining to the game. The odd man out was Brandon Nimmo.

Donning his Mets uniform in the post-game interview, Nimmo discussed free agency and his future with the Mets.

“I’m definitely interested in coming back, but there’s a lot of things that are going to go into that this offseason… but I’m definitely interested, there’s no question,” Nimmo told the media.

Going into the 2022 offseason, the interest should be mutual between the Mets and Nimmo. Playing in his first full season since 2018, Nimmo was the key that started the Mets’ offense. He had the 16th-highest OBP and the 20th-highest WAR in MLB this season. Nimmo’s 5.0 WAR was also the third-highest amongst position players on the Mets in 2022.

While Nimmo will be an expensive player to retain, the options to replace him are significant downgrades. Besides the behemoth of Aaron Judge, the long list of free-agent center fielders contain names such as Lorenzo Cain, Jackie Bradley Jr., Albert Almora, and Travis Jankowski.

If Steve Cohen wants to build a consistent contender in Flushing, Nimmo should be seen as an integral piece. In the 2022 MLB season, the only other center fielders to record a higher fWar than Nimmo were Judge and Mike Trout. Luckily, for Cohen and the Mets, the winning mentality that has been added to the clubhouse will play a role in Nimmo’s decision.

“We are looking at being apart of a winning culture, and I think that’s something Steve has done really really well here,” Nimmo stated when being asked about returning to the Mets.

Winning won’t be the only piece that the Mets bring to the table this offseason. Nimmo also added that his roots with the Mets will be a factor as well.

“There’s definitely some factor that will play into that and how I’ve been treated while I’ve been here and the chance they took on me in the draft. It’s all I’ve really known.”