There are generally two trains of thought that have emerged since the Mets traded outfielder Brandon Nimmo to the Rangers last month.
The first is that with a corner outfield spot now open, New York is suddenly in position to pursue one of the biggest outfielders available — whether they do it via free agency or trade.
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The second is that since the Mets just created flexibility, they won’t necessarily be in a rush to add another potentially big contract right back on the books in the same position — especially with Carson Benge almost ready for the majors.
The reality is more nuanced.
Yes, it’s fair to wonder if the Mets will go full bore after someone like Kyle Tucker so soon after trading Nimmo.
But it’s also reasonable to believe the Mets didn’t move on from Nimmo because they didn’t want a long deal for any left fielder on their books. They moved on from Nimmo because they didn’t believe he was the right fit anymore as he approaches his age-33 season.
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Nimmo’s defense had regressed to the point where an issue was developing with New York’s overall outfield defense — which has Juan Soto in the other outfield corner. And Nimmo’s offense, while still above average, has also regressed.
Could the Mets go internal with Benge in left field and Tyrone Taylor in center field? Sure.
But they could also dive head first into the outfield market.
Here are the free agent outfielders they should be targeting, ranked…
5. Harrison Bader
Bader had a very good year at the plate for the Twins and Phillies in 2025, hitting .277/.347/.449 with 17 home runs and 24 doubles in 146 games.
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He was especially strong for Philadelphia down the stretch after being acquired at the trade deadline, posting an .824 OPS in 50 games.
Minnesota Twins outfielder Harrison Bader (12) celebrates his home run against the Chicago Cubs in the eighth inning at Target Field. / Brad Rempel-Imagn Images
Bader was also elite defensively, worth seven Outs Above Average (in the 92nd percentile).
For the Mets, a reunion with Bader would give them a center fielder with pop and likely result in Taylor being a fourth outfielder — a role he’s better suited for than starting.
4. Adolis Garcia
The free agent crop of outfielders is not deep, nor is it very impressive beyond the top two. That’s one of the reasons Garcia, who has struggled badly the last two seasons, is on this list. And he’s only available because he was recently non-tendered by the Rangers.
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Offensively, Garcia still hits the ball very hard — his average exit velocity was in the 89th percentile this past season. But his other advanced offensive metrics were ugly.
He provides serious value elsewhere, though.
Garcia is a strong base runner, is an above average outfielder when it comes to range, and has one of the best arms in baseball.
If the Mets think Garcia’s bat can bounce back, he could make sense as a low-risk. high-reward move.
3. Rob Refsnyder
SNY contributor Joe DeMayo recently mentioned Refsnyder as one of the better under-the-radar options for the Mets this offseason.
And if he’s paired with a left-handed hitting platoon partner, Refsnyder could be a nice fit.
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For the Red Sox this past season, Refsnyder mashed left-handed pitching, slashing .302/.399/.560 in 138 plate appearances.
Defensively, Refsnyder’s range was a tick below average, but his arm continued to be a strength.
Now, a caveat: In a world where the Mets sign Garcia, Bader, or Refsnyder as a main outfield move, it would have to be in conjunction with big swings elsewhere on the roster — at first base, designated hitter, and/or third base.
Oct 9, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs right fielder Kyle Tucker (30) reacts after hitting a home run against the Milwaukee Brewers during the seventh inning for game four of the NLDS round for the 2025 MLB playoffs at Wrigley Field. / David Banks – Imagn Images
2. Kyle Tucker
The most impactful offensive player available via free agency this offseason, Tucker is expected to get a deal worth more than $300 million.
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A relatively young star (he’ll be entering his age-29 season in 2026) who controls the strike zone at an elite level and whose Baseball Savant page lights up red, Tucker is coming off an uneven season with the Cubs that was interrupted by a fractured hand.
But even in a relatively down year, Tucker posted an OPS+ of 143.
Inking Tucker would add a third megadeal to New York’s books to go along with the ones given to Soto and Francisco Lindor. But Tucker is a special offensive player still in his prime whose addition would take New York’s lineup to another level.
Tucker hasn’t played left field since 2020, so the Mets would need him or Soto to shift to left field in the event a deal is struck.
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1. Cody Bellinger
Numerous reports have linked the Mets to Bellinger, a versatile player the Yankees have spoken about wanting to retain.
For the Mets, Bellinger could fit snugly in left field, where he spent the majority of his time last season.
An elite defender, Bellinger can also play right field (if the Mets explored a move of Soto to left) and first base.
Offensively, Bellinger has put his poor 2021 and 2022 campaigns behind him, settling in as an above average performer — though he hasn’t come close to the height he reached for the Dodgers during his 2019 MVP campaign. Still, what Bellinger provides on both sides of the ball has immense value.
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Over the last three seasons for the Cubs and Yanks, Bellinger has slashed .281/.338/.477 (.815 OPS). He’s also been reliable, playing 130 games or more in every full season of his nine-year career except one.
