NEW YORK — In the aftermath of Jose Siri being out “a while,” as manager Carlos Mendoza put it, because of a fractured leg, center field emerged as an intriguing position to watch for the New York Mets.
They’re keeping their options open. They’ve started Tyrone Taylor, who was splitting time with Siri, in center field for five straight games. They selected Jose Azocar, known for defense and speed, from Triple A when they placed Siri on the 10-day injured list Thursday. Brandon Nimmo, who last manned the position on an everyday basis in 2023, is an option. So is rookie Luisangel Acuña. Ditto for Jeff McNeil, who started in center field for Single-A St. Lucie during a rehab assignment Thursday.
On that list, McNeil and Acuña stand out as the most interesting names.
So, how’s this for a defensive alignment: McNeil in center field with Acuña at second base?
That’s not how the Mets drew things up when players reported to spring training two months ago. And it’s merely among a few possibilities. But it could end up being a real configuration, particularly against tough right-handed pitchers.
The Mets selected José Azócar with Jose Siri on the injured list.
— Will Sammon (@WillSammon) April 17, 2025
McNeil has played three major-league games in center field, all in 2023. After Thursday, McNeil (oblique) will continue his rehab assignment with either Double-A Binghamton or Triple-A Syracuse, where he is set to see action in the infield. To his credit, McNeil is said to be on board with the possibility of seeing time in center field. But rival scouts harbor some concerns. If McNeil struggles offensively, one scout wondered if he’d take his at-bats with him to center field.
Mendoza hasn’t tipped his hand regarding how he intends to divvy up playing time. But the Mets may prefer McNeil in center field over Acuña since he has done it before in the majors. (Acuña appeared in 31 games in center field in Triple A last season.)
The Mets are learning what they have in Acuña, but they already know he’s pretty good defensively in the infield. In McNeil’s absence, Acuña has outperformed Brett Baty at second base (.691 OPS for Acuña, .511 OPS for Baty, who started Thursday and picked up two hits for the second straight game). Receiving regular playing time is a factor regarding whether Acuña sticks in the majors. Acuña will probably receive reps in center field at some point. Such a possibility, plus a willingness to put McNeil in the outfield, opens up additional playing time for Acuña.
The situation remains fluid — true for Acuña, McNeil, Baty and Taylor.
Taylor went 1-for-3 with a run in the Mets’ 4-1 win over the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday. He’s just 8-for-46 (.174) with no walks this season. Dating back to their shared time with the Milwaukee Brewers, Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns has never given Taylor the complete runway with a starting role. Club officials like Taylor, however, because of his crack defense, speed and ability to pile up hits. He got hot last year and received the bulk of playing time in center field down the stretch.
The Mets improved to 12-7. They don’t need elite production from center field. But the front office demonstrated last year that they expect a certain standard. Speculatively, center field becomes a position to watch for a trade if Taylor fails to get going offensively and if the Mets don’t receive production when they try alternatives. The problem is that the position offers few options beyond Chicago White Sox center fielder Luis Robert Jr., who is off to a slow start (.449 OPS) after a poor 2024 season.
The Mets’ prospects with experience in center field need more time in the minors before they can be considered serious options. Drew Gilbert joined Triple-A Syracuse on Thursday and started in center field after spending the first couple of weeks on a rehab assignment with St. Lucie. Jett Williams is in Double A (where he has yet to play center field). Both prospects missed most of last season because of injuries. It’s unlikely either player receives consideration for the majors during the first half of the season.
If the Mets start losing while continuing to receive minimal production from the bottom of their batting order, then they’ll likely be inclined to make a move. For now, the Mets can remain flexible and wait to see how things play out.
(Top photo of Jeff McNeil: Rich Storry / Getty Images)