Cristian Pache Signs with Mets: Former Phillies Outfielder Gets Another Shot in the NL East
Cristian Pache is back in the NL East mix - and just one team away from completing the divisional circuit.
The New York Mets announced they've signed the 27-year-old outfielder to a minor league deal with a non-roster invite to spring training. It’s a low-risk, potentially high-reward move for a club looking to add depth and upside to its outfield group heading into 2026.
If Pache makes it to the big league roster, he’ll have suited up for four of the five teams in the division - Atlanta, Philadelphia, Miami, and now New York - with only the Nationals left to complete the set. That’s not exactly the journey most top prospects envision, but it tells the story of a player who’s still trying to find his footing in the majors.
A Journey Through the League - and the NL East
Pache’s career has been anything but linear. He broke into the league with the Braves, where his defensive potential immediately turned heads.
The glove was never the issue - it was the bat that needed catching up. After a stint in Atlanta, he was traded to Oakland, then landed with the Phillies in 2023.
A year later, he was moved to Baltimore in the Austin Hays deal, only to be designated for assignment and picked up by the Marlins. That 2024 season saw him wear three different uniforms.
In 2025, Pache signed a minor league deal with the Diamondbacks and spent the year in Triple-A. Now, he’s headed back to the East Coast, hoping to crack a Mets roster that could use a defensive-minded outfielder with upside.
Flashes of Potential in Philly
When the Phillies brought Pache in, there was a sense that he could be a long-term fit in center field - a glove-first player who might develop into a solid everyday contributor. Early on, he delivered.
In his first 18 games with Philadelphia, he hit .330 and made a handful of highlight-reel plays in center. The defense was as advertised, and for a moment, it looked like the bat might finally be catching up.
But the early success didn’t hold. As the season wore on, Pache’s high strikeout rate and low walk rate started to become more than just red flags - they were full-blown warning signs. The offensive production dipped, and by the time the Phillies moved him at the 2024 deadline, he was hitting just .202.
Still, there’s no denying the tools. The glove remains elite, and when he’s locked in at the plate, there’s enough bat speed and athleticism to make you wonder if there’s still something there. That’s the bet the Mets are making.
What This Means for New York
For the Mets, this is a classic “why not?” move.
Pache doesn’t take up a roster spot, and if he impresses in spring training, he could be a valuable piece - especially in a fourth outfielder role or as a late-inning defensive replacement. The Mets’ outfield isn’t exactly locked in stone heading into 2026, so there’s room for someone like Pache to make a case.
And let’s be honest - if he can recapture even a fraction of that early Phillies form, it’s a win for New York. If not, it’s a minor league flyer that doesn’t cost them much.
The Road Ahead
Pache’s story is a reminder of just how difficult it is to stick in the majors - even with elite-level defense. He’s shown flashes, but consistency has been the missing piece. Now, with another opportunity in front of him, he’ll try to prove he belongs - again.
And if he does get the call back to the bigs, Mets fans might just get used to seeing those platinum curls tracking down fly balls in center field.