On paper, the New York Mets have one of the deepest outfields in the league. They have a player who should’ve been an All-Star by now in left field (Brandon Nimmo), a pair of very good defenders manning center field (Jose Siri and Tyrone Taylor), and one of the best players in the league in right field (Juan Soto). Not to mention, their designated hitters also play the outfield. Let’s see how their outfield looks for the 2025 season.
Photo by Ed Delany of Metsmerized
Big League Starters
Juan Soto (RF)
Age: 26
Contract: 15 years, $765,000,000
Roster Status: 40-man
The prized acquisition by the Mets in the offseason, Juan Soto, looks to make a good first impression in Queens. Last season with the New York Yankees, Soto crushed 41 home runs and drove in 109 RBI. He then cashed in big during the offseason. Now, Soto looks to carry that over to the other side of town and has the most pressure of any player in baseball this season after signing the biggest contract in the history of sports.
His offense should be typical Soto, and he’ll help a lineup with the likes of Francisco Lindor, Brandon Nimmo, Pete Alonso, and Mark Vientos. His defense is what a lot of people will be keeping their eye on, and Soto has made it a point to improve his defense this offseason. This season is simple for Soto. Perform well and take the Mets back to the playoffs. If not, then the detractors will get louder.
Brandon Nimmo (LF)
Age: 31
Contract: 8 year, $162,000,000 (entering Year 3)
Roster Status: 40-man
Last year was an odd one for the longest-tenured Met. Nimmo hit 23 home runs and contributed with 93 RBI. Nimmo actually had more RBI last season than Alonso. However, Nimmo only batted .224, the worst average of his career since 2019. His OPS was also the lowest since 2016 at .727. The walks were still there for Nimmo at 77, but his strikeouts were up and the highest of his career at 158. His only hot streak came around June and July when he made a late run at the All-Star team.
Entering his third year of an eight-year contract, Nimmo is looking for a more consistent season at the plate, but he’s been battling knee soreness all spring training. That, of course, isn’t ideal since Nimmo has an injury history and with the effect of his contract. He’s looked good in his return to action in the last two weeks of spring. Nimmo has become a power bat, but the Mets would like to see him get on base more often like the Nimmo of old.
Jose Siri (CF)
Age: 29
Contract: $2.4 million, two more years of team control
Roster Status: 40-man
The new starter in center field and taking over the role that was occupied by Harrison Bader in 2024, the Mets acquired Siri from the Tampa Bay Rays in the offseason in exchange for Eric Orze. Known for his glove, Siri’s speed should help in center field for New York, and his defense is the biggest reason why he was brought in.
His bat, on the other hand, is boom-or-bust. He has tremendous power, as he’s hit 43 home runs over the past two seasons. However, he batted .187 in 2024, and over the last three years, he hasn’t batted over .245. His strikeouts, 300 in the previous two years, and chasing at breaking balls is a big problem. His defensive ability and power give the Mets a good combination, but he’ll have to lay off the strikeouts and get his average a bit up if he wants to maintain the starter centerfield role this year.
Oct 14, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; New York Mets outfielder Tyrone Taylor (15) celebrates after scoring on a grand slam home run by third baseman Mark Vientos (not pictured) in the second inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers during game two of the NLCS for the 2024 MLB Playoffs at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Big League Depth
Tyrone Taylor (CF/OF)
Age: 31
Contract: $3.025 million, one more year of team control
Roster Status: 40-man
One of the most pleasant surprises of the last year after being acquired from the Milwaukee Brewers, Tyrone Taylor returns to the Mets as their ultimate utility outfielder. Put him anywhere in the outfield, and his glove will shine. His bat was also pretty solid for the Mets with 79 hits, and he got some big hits overall for the team last year. He ended with a .700 OPS—right around league average.
This year, his role remains unchanged. He’ll mostly rotate at center field with Siri and go in late in games in the corners when needed. He’s exactly the kind of outfield depth the Mets need and suits them well as a fourth outfielder.
Starling Marte (DH/RF)
Age: 36
Contract: 4 year, $78,000,000 (final year)
Roster Status: 40-man
Starling Marte is an enigma on the Mets as he enters the final year of his four-year deal. His Mets tenure has seemed to be one step forward and then a step or two back. He is productive at the plate and on the bases when he’s on the field. However, injuries have kept him out of action over these three years. The Mets tried to trade him in the offseason but have not found a suitor to this point as the regular season draws near.
For now, he is on the roster and will have to play mostly designated hitter as Soto plays right field. Marte is still a threat at the plate, as he notched 90 hits in 2024 and 16 stolen bases. The number of games he’ll play is the question after he’s missed 76 and 68 games from 2023-2024. If he stays on the field, he can be productive with his bat. He’ll probably play mostly against lefties.
Jesse Winker (DH/LF)
Age: 31
Contract: One year, $7,500,000
Roster status: 40-man
It’s been said before that every team needs a Jesse Winker. A spunky and fiery player who is a tough out and will drive opposing teams crazy. Winker is the kind of player you’d hate if he’s facing you (the Mets sure did) but love if he’s playing for you. He added all of that for the Mets last year after they acquired him from the Washington Nationals. In the postseason, he contributed by batting .267 with 8 hits, 2 triples, 4 RBI, and a home run.
This season, Winker will spot Marte as the designated hitter mostly against right-handed pitching and will play left field if needed. All the Mets ask of Jesse Winker is to be Jesse Winker and be the veteran presence he was last year in the clubhouse.
Drew Gilbert. Photo Credit: James Farrance
Coming Soon
Alexander Canario, Rafael Ortega, Jose Azocar
In the minors, the Mets will have a trio of players ready to come up to the bigs if needed. It’s less likely, given most of their bench is veterans who can play outfield. They’ll need to pass Canario through waivers over the next couple days, though, so he may not make it to the season with the Mets.
Drew Gilbert
Injuries have held back the young prospect the Mets got in the Justin Verlander trade in 2023. When he’s healthy, he will continue his development in Triple-A Syracuse, where he batted .205/.313/.371 in 56 games and try to work his way back up the Mets farm system.
Like Gilbert, Jett Williams’ progression in 2024 was hampered by injury. Williams returned at the end of the season and looked better as time went on, culminating in a solid Arizona Fall League performance. He’ll start the year at Double-A, but don’t be surprised if he’s in Triple-A not long after that. He plays short, but he’s split time between there and center field.
