Empire Writes Back
Fansided

Early Predictions for the 2018 New York Mets Lineup

By Nolan Rich

PHOENIX, AZ - APRIL 15: Manager Terry Collins of the New York Mets watches from the dugout during the MLB game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on April 15, 2014 in Phoenix, Arizona. All uniformed team members are wearing jersey number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ - APRIL 15: Manager Terry Collins of the New York Mets watches from the dugout during the MLB game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on April 15, 2014 in Phoenix, Arizona. All uniformed team members are wearing jersey number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
8 of 9
Next
NEW YORK, NY – JULY 23: Michael Conforto (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – JULY 23: Michael Conforto (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

Center Field: Michael Conforto

If there was any bright spot for the New York Mets in 2017, it was the emergence of Michael Conforto. Even though a shoulder injury will likely cut Conforto’s season short, through 109 games, Conforto hit .279 with 27 home runs and 68 RBI.

More from New York Mets

It’s clear that New York has a perennial All-Star in the 24-year-old and while many people knew he would be a starter in 2018, most assumed he would be the starting left fielder. While Conforto is a natural corner outfielder, he has shown the range to be an above average defensive center fielder and would make room for the Mets to bring in a new left fielder (we’ll get to that in a moment).

While Juan Lagares could be pencilled in as the everyday center fielder because of his Gold Glove-caliber defense, there are two big reasons why he cannot be an everyday player. First, he’s always on the disabled list and second, his inability to hit big league pitching makes him a liability in the lineup.

Lagares is better suited as a late-game defensive replacement, which would also help give Cespedes some rest and move Conforto to a corner outfield spot. While Lagares and Conforto could both be starters in 2018, another free agent acquisition could make a huge impact on the New York Mets lineup.

Home/New York Mets