Over these final 51 games the Mets need to make the best catch they can in center field.
That is one of many crucial challenges they face.
Don’t expect the Mets to go outside the organization to find a center fielder, sources say, so it will have to come from within. There’s also a chance that there could be a position twist to this vital position.
In Tuesday night’s rain-delayed, ugly 6-1 loss to the Reds at Citi Field Tuesday night, Brandon Nimmo was in center field instead of veteran Austin Jackson as they try to come up with answers for 2019.
The Mets have had some internal conversations about giving shortstop Amed Rosario a run at center field, but as of right now that is not on the table.
Teams are always trying to come up with creative ways to fix problems, and Rosario to center field is one of those conversations.
The No. 1 job for Rosario is to get his swing in order. The shortstop batted leadoff for the third straight game Tuesday night and went 0-for-4 and is hitting .230.
A lot would have to happen for Rosario to move to center field, including perhaps the quick advancement of top shortstop prospect Andres Gimenez who turns 20 in September. Gimenez was recently promoted to Double-A Binghamton, where he is hitting .304 over 13 games. He needs time to grow. The Mets could go out and obtain a veteran shortstop to give Gimenez that time if at some point they decide to move Rosario to center field.
Scouts believe Nimmo can become an adequate center fielder. He has worked diligently to improve his skills and on Monday three hours before a game he did not start he was working with the coaches to try to increase his range in center. The Mets are also counting on a healthy Juan Lagares to be a big part of the center-field mix in 2019.
In mid-May, Lagares was lost for the season with a complete tear of a ligament in one of his big toes after he ran into the wall in center field. Lagares played in just 30 games and for a team that needs to value defense much more than it has in the past, this was a big loss.
Lagares played in 94 games in 2017 and 79 in 2016 as injuries continue to hamper his career.
Michael Conforto is locked into left field with Yoenis Cespedes out until at least the middle of next season due to heel surgery No. 1 and upcoming heel surgery No. 2. Conforto said he really enjoyed playing center field, that is his favorite outfield position, and he would not hesitate to move back to center but he also owns a realistic view of the demands of the position.
“I’m always excited to play center field,’’ Conforto told The Post. “We’re playing against Billy Hamilton right now and [the Braves] Ender Inciarte the series before. Those guys are great center fielders.’’
Right fielder Jay Bruce is out, but is making “progress’’ with his hip issues. He is signed through 2020 and could make the move to first base in the future.
For the Mets and their outfield issues the answers have to come from within. They are going to build around their starting pitching so it is incumbent for management to improve the defense. Jose Bautista made a poor throw in right in the Reds three-run first inning against punching bag starter Jason Vargas.
The new president of baseball operations is going to have to come up with some creative answers because the Mets have so many issues. The Mets have $149 million tied up in two outfielders in Cespedes and Bruce and who knows when and if Cespedes will be ready to play again and perform at a high level and if Bruce can stay on the field.
The outfield is just one of the many issues that have to be solved. Mets fans are already up in arms and one more year like this lost season will put them even more over the edge.
None of these problems are just going away.
For now, center field, one of the key defensive positions on the diamond, remains up in the air.
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