The outside hope Carson Benge will break camp with the Mets, reports Mike Puma of The New York Post. He will be the starting right fielder on opening day, per Chelsea Janes of SNY. The Mets will need to clear the cap for 40 players to officially opt out of Benge’s contract.
The movement is noticeable but not alarming. During the season, president of baseball operations David Stearns has been saying that Benge will have a chance to break with the club. The 19th overall pick since 2024, he used High-A and Double-A last year.
He showed up out of Triple-A, with a .178/.272/.311 line in 24 games to finish the year, but there were reasons not to worry about that too much. His 18.4% strikeout rate was good and his 8.7% walk rate in an average rotation. His .188 batting average on balls in play was low. It seemed more like bad luck than a little hitter being overrated.
The Mets, as mentioned, wanted to leave an open path for him to reach the big leagues. Bring emergency plans. They signed Mike Tauchman in a minor league deal. MJ Melendez he got the 40 man spot but still has an option. It seemed as if the right field job would be Benge’s and he did nothing to lose it. He hit .366/.435/.439 in Grapefruit League play. That line got some help from an uncontrollable .469 BABIP but the Mets were inclined to give Benge a job as long as he didn’t look overwhelmed.
Melendez was selected from the minors last week. The Mets were probably inclined to draft both Benge and Tauchman, but the latter tore the meniscus in his left knee a few days ago. That made Benge stronger at work.
There is always a risk in giving a keeper a job, as young players with struggling skills are starting to be called up, but Benge has shown that he is worth a shot. Even including his Triple-A, he hit a combined .281/.385/.472 last year with a 150 wRC+. He stole 22 bases. His defensive skills are considered strong enough to be a corner outfielder and possibly a right fielder. He’ll start the season right but there’s no question he’ll end up spending a fair amount of time in a center field dominated by multiple injuries. Luis Robert Jr..
By carrying Benge on the opening day roster, the Mets will open up the Prospect Promotion Incentive. He is a consensus top 25 player in the league. If he stays in the majors long enough in the campaign to earn a full year of service, he could give the Mets an extra shot by winning Rookie of the Year or finishing in the top three in MVP voting during his pre-arbitration seasons.
If things don’t go well with Benge, then the Mets will have to turn to some backup programs. Tauchman has an option to opt out of his minor league deal but likely won’t start while injured, so he’ll be back in the mix whenever he’s healthy again. Melendez will be on voluntary assignment to Triple-A, on the sidelines Jared Young again Nick Morabito. Brett Baty you will be in a role of great help now that Bo Bichette again Marcus Semien they are on third and second base respectively. Tyrone Taylor he will be sitting on the bench as a fourth outfielder. Tauchman’s injury may also allow it Vidal Bruján sticking to the bench in a relief role.
Photo courtesy of Sam Navarro, Mitch Alcala, Imagn Images
