Juan Soto’s shift from right field to left might sound like a routine corner-outfield flip, but for the New York Mets, it’s a move that sends ripple effects across their entire defensive alignment. This isn’t just about plugging one All-Star into a different outfield spot - it’s about what that change forces the Mets to do elsewhere, especially in right field, where the picture is far less clear.
Let’s start with the basics: left field is traditionally where you can stash a bat-first guy with limited range or arm strength. Right field?
That’s a different story. You want someone with a hose for an arm and enough defensive savvy to handle tricky caroms and deep drives.
Soto sliding over to left makes sense - it protects his body, limits his defensive exposure, and allows the Mets to optimize his value at the plate. But it also means the Mets now have a vacancy in right that doesn’t come with a clean solution.
Initially, Brett Baty was viewed as a fallback option in left field behind prospect Carson Benge. But with Soto now occupying that spot, Baty’s being floated as a right field option - and that’s where things get a little dicey.
Baty’s athleticism and versatility are assets, but right field demands more than just willingness. It demands defensive instincts, arm strength, and the ability to cover ground quickly.
That’s not a natural fit for Baty, who’s still trying to carve out a consistent role in the majors.
Mets President of Baseball Operations David Stearns isn’t backing off the idea of Baty in the outfield just yet. Along with Baty, he’s also mentioned Tyrone Taylor and MJ Melendez as potential right field options.
Taylor is the most natural fit - a true outfielder with solid defensive chops - but he hasn’t exactly locked down an everyday role with his bat. Baty, meanwhile, is more of a utility piece at this point, and Melendez?
Well, he’s the wild card.
Melendez is a fascinating case. Once a top catching prospect, he’s now more of a positionless slugger trying to find a home.
His transition from catcher to outfielder hasn’t gone smoothly - the defensive metrics are rough - but one thing that hasn’t changed is his arm. It’s a cannon.
Statcast regularly places him in the top 10% of outfield arm strength, and that’s not nothing when you’re trying to man right field at Citi Field.
Still, arm strength alone doesn’t earn you a spot in the lineup. Melendez is on a split contract with a minor league option, which means he’s not guaranteed anything.
He’ll need a strong spring - and maybe a roster shakeup - to crack the Opening Day squad. Right now, he’s more of a depth piece than a penciled-in starter.
That brings us back to the roster math. Last year, the Mets carried six outfielders and five infielders on Opening Day.
It wasn’t the most balanced setup, but it reflected the team’s need for flexibility - something they might lean into again in 2026. If Baty ends up in right, that could push someone like Melendez or Benge off the roster bubble.
If Taylor wins the job outright, Baty’s role becomes even murkier.
And then there’s the trade factor. The Mets have floated position changes before that never actually materialized.
Just last year, Baty and Mark Vientos were part of a makeshift first base plan while Pete Alonso lingered in free agency. That plan never came to fruition, and Alonso returned.
So just because Baty is being discussed as an outfield option doesn’t mean it’s set in stone. In fact, a trade involving Baty or Vientos still feels like a real possibility - even if it’s not something the front office is actively pushing.
Bottom line: Soto’s move to left field is a domino that’s already knocked over a few pieces. The Mets have options in right, but none of them are perfect.
Whether it’s Baty stretching his defensive limits, Taylor trying to seize a bigger role, or Melendez making a surprise push, the Mets are entering spring training with more questions than answers in the outfield. And with Opening Day inching closer, how they solve that right field riddle could go a long way in shaping their early-season identity.