It’s been a long time coming, but the Mets are finally making the move that’s been simmering since the summer of 2024 - Juan Soto is shifting from right field to left at Citi Field.
If you’ve been paying attention, this won’t come as a shock. Even Mets legend Keith Hernandez called it out during last year’s Subway Series, questioning why Soto was stationed in the deepest corner of Citi Field’s outfield.
“That’s a fly ball. That’s gotta be caught,” Hernandez said after a misplay in right, pointing out that Yankee Stadium’s smaller dimensions might hide those defensive blemishes, but Citi Field is a different beast.
Now, the Mets are acting on what many saw as inevitable. Soto’s move to left field is more than just a defensive tweak - it reshapes the outfield dynamic and sets off a chain reaction across the roster.
So, who’s got right field now?
That’s the new question in Queens. Right field isn’t just a mirror image of left - it demands more range, a stronger arm, and sharper reads off the bat.
It’s not a position you can just plug and play. Brett Baty handled left field well enough, but sliding him over to right?
That’s a much tougher sell.
Enter Carson Benge.
The 22-year-old prospect has quietly become a key piece of the Mets' puzzle. He’s logged more innings in center than anywhere else during his time in the minors, but he’s also seen a decent share of right field.
That versatility is encouraging. The Mets clearly hope he can break camp with the big-league club and take over the position full-time.
If he’s ready, problem solved.
But if he’s not?
That’s where things get tricky. Tyrone Taylor has enough experience in right to be a short-term solution, but he’s more of a depth piece than a long-term answer.
A spring training trade feels unlikely - the Mets seem committed to giving Benge every opportunity to win the job. Free agency still offers some options, with names like Max Kepler, Randal Grichuk, and yes, Michael Conforto, still out there.
But none of those feel like slam-dunk upgrades. They’re more like insurance policies.
So, for now, the Mets are betting on youth and upside. Benge has the tools. Now it’s about timing.
Meanwhile, some concern around Lindor
While Soto’s move is a calculated adjustment, the news around Francisco Lindor is more of a gut punch. The team is hopeful he’ll be good to go for Opening Day, but there’s a real chance he could miss a few weeks. That’s not just a lineup issue - it’s a roster ripple effect.
If Lindor does land on the IL, Ronny Mauricio likely makes the team out of camp. He or Bo Bichette would slide over to shortstop, depending on how the Mets want to configure the infield. That move also reopens the door for Brett Baty at third base, at least temporarily.
This is the kind of scenario that underscores how quickly things can shift in spring. One tweak, one position change, and suddenly the entire roster balance is up in the air.
Big picture
The Mets aren’t dealing with disaster here - far from it. Soto’s shift to left field is a smart, proactive move that could pay off defensively without sacrificing anything at the plate. And while the Lindor situation is worth monitoring, it’s not panic time yet.
But what we’re seeing is a reminder of how fluid rosters are in February. A year ago, Soto’s defense was a talking point.
Now it’s a solved problem. A week ago, Lindor was penciled in at shortstop.
Now, contingency plans are being drawn up.
The Mets have options. They have depth.
And they have decisions to make. Welcome to spring in Flushing.