Carson Benge has given the Mets something useful this season: lineup flexibility without the usual headaches.
He opened the year buried near the bottom of the order, then got his first look in the leadoff spot on April 17 despite carrying a .151 batting average at the time. The Mets didn’t panic, and Benge didn’t force their hand. He has kept producing no matter where they drop him in the order.
That’s the real selling point here. Whether he’s batting first or fourth, the numbers stay close enough that the Mets don’t have to treat either slot like a permanent home.
In 277 chances as a leadoff hitter, Benge has hit .281/.335/.429. In 50 tries leading off a game, though, he’s only at .188/.220/.271.
Even with that split, the larger body of work says he can handle the role.
His work in the four spot has been even better. That has been his second-most common place in the lineup, and in 181 plate appearances there he’s posted a .286/.385/.441 line. It’s strong enough to matter, but not so different from his leadoff production that the Mets need to lock themselves into one answer.
The reason Benge gives them options is simple: he brings both power and speed. That combination lets him fit as either a table-setter or a run producer. He’s closing in on 20 home runs and has a path to challenge for 30 soon.
That kind of profile can get overlooked because it doesn’t box a player into one obvious job. Benge also adds balance against both sides, with a .717 OPS against lefties and a .760 OPS against righties. For the Mets, that means he can slide into whatever spot they need - at the top, in the middle, or somewhere in between - and still look comfortable.
In Other News...
Mets May Have One Clear Answer To Their Infield Balance Problem
The Mets offseason infield puzzle has become one of the more interesting roster questions in the league, especially with Bo Bichettes status hanging over the market and Baltimores Coby Mayo emerging as a possible target. Mayos profile gives New York a very different kind of option than a straightforward free-agent chase, and the fit is easy to understand from the Mets side: a young bat, defensive versatility and a chance to reframe the middle of the diamond without overcommitting too soon.
What makes the idea worth watching is how it intersects with Mark Vientos and the rest of the organizations infield inventory. Mayos performance and defensive numbers compare favorably enough to make him a plausible answer, but the real question is what the Mets would be willing to put on the table, with pitching prospects and infield depth among the pieces they could discuss. For a front office trying to balance present needs against future value, this is the kind of move that could clarify the roster quickly if the right opportunity opens. [Read more 🡒]
Steve Cohen Is Signaling Mets Changes That Could Go Beyond The Field
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The timing is notable because it comes as the Mets keep navigating the emotional side of roster decisions, something Cohen touched on while reflecting on the fan reaction to Pete Alonsos 300th home run and the difficulty of parting with homegrown players. Those are the kinds of ties that make this job different in New York, where every personnel choice carries both baseball and public-relations weight, and Cohen seems intent on building an operation that can handle both. [Read more 🡒]
Mets Face A Tough Bullpen Decision With Tobias Myers
The Mets have a small but meaningful bullpen call to make as they sort out the back end of their pitching mix. Jonathan Pintaro and Tobias Myers are both in the frame for a multi-inning relief role, and the clubs choice goes beyond just who has looked better lately. Myers had an encouraging start before running into trouble in the middle of the season, while Pintaro has given the team a steadier run as a reliever.
What makes the decision trickier is the roster math around it. Myers is up against a non-tender decision because his minor league options have been used up, while Pintaro still carries an option for 2027, giving the Mets more flexibility if they want to keep him in the organization. For a bullpen that is always being fine-tuned, the outcome of this competition could shape more than one spot on the staff. [Read more 🡒]