Brandon Nimmo Has Strong Message For Mets

The New York Mets have made some key additions to their outfield so far this offseason, signing Starling Marte and Mark Canha before the lockout. With Marte often occupying center field throughout his career, the Mets' incumbent center fielder Brandon Nimmo has a message for the team:

"Last year I kind of solidified that I can play centerfield," Nimmo told Tim Healey of Newsday. Pointing to his ever-improving defensive metrics in center, he added, "It proved that, hey, if you give me information, if you allow me to make the adjustments, I will give it everything I got," Nimmo said. "I was very, very proud of the difference in the numbers from ’20 to ’21 and doing what they asked me to do and improving there."

In fact, writes Healey, "a variety of modern defensive metrics, from Defensive Runs Saved to Outs Above Average to Ultimate Zone Rating, favor Nimmo over Marte, sometimes by significant margins. He is younger and faster, and he made great gains last year with improved speed and positioning."

At the time of the Marte signing, GM Billy Eppler said the Mets haven't made a decision on who will play CF. 

Nimmo is going into his free agent year, so having 'center field' on his resume will bring a bigger payday, but nevertheless, despite his strong stated desire to remain in center, he is playing the good foot soldier, saying that he will "play whatever position they need me to play... "I’ve always said this: If I’m not playing centerfield, then someone really, really good must be there," Nimmo said. "And that will mean we have a good outfield."

Photo Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports, Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports