Projecting the Mets Outfield Rotation After Acquisition of Jake Marisnick
By Chris Russo
The New York Mets upgraded their outfield on Thursday when they acquired Jake Marisnick from the Houston Astros.
Now, there is merely a question of where he fits in the Mets outfield. An exemplary defensive center fielder with a moderate right-handed bat? Yeah, sounds like a seamless Juan Lagares replacement to us.
Juan Lagares is a free agent.
— Tim Healey (@timbhealey) December 5, 2019
Jake Marisnick is similar to Lagares, but a better baserunner and probably an even better defender. And he'll make much less than Lagares would have had the Mets picked up his option. https://t.co/QU1qfmj3yb
Marisnick's similarities to and advantages over Lagares should line him up to play center field on an everyday basis. He is just as good, if not a better defensive center fielder than Lagares is, which is really saying something considering Lagares' skill.
Over the last four years, Marisnick is tied-9th in outfielder Outs Above Average (+39) which is a bigger deal than it sounds because he doesn't play every day.https://t.co/4JAJIJODPl
— Mike Petriello (@mike_petriello) December 5, 2019
Like, he's "top of the league" good, as well as very excited to be a Met.
Just spoke to Jake Marisnick, who woke up this morning to the news he had been traded.
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) December 5, 2019
"The vibe around the Mets when we were watching them last year from Houston, they looked like they were playing with some hunger and some passion. I'm excited to come in and add to that."
As for the rest of the outfield, Michael Conforto should be in right field for the Mets come Opening Day as one of the team's cornerstones.
Left field is probably the most unclear position in the outfield. The Mets traded for a solid center fielder in Marisnick, and Conforto is locked into right field, but free agency and depth puts into doubt who will play left.
The Mets have the opportunity to put J.D. Davis in his natural position at third base with Todd Frazier now departed in free agency, but they also would like to put Jeff McNeil, undoubtedly their best hitter, in a permanent position. Plus, Brandon Nimmo and Dominic Smith will also be competing for playing time.
Odds are that the Mets will move Davis to third base, play McNeil at different positions throughout the year, and platoon Nimmo and Smith in left field as well, depending on their health. Marisnick could also find himself riding the pine, from time to time, with Conforto or Nimmo then inserting themselves in center. Expect Marisnick to start 110 games, and you could do far worse.