Carson

Benge

Benge, who had been 0-for-5 this spring, had one line drive and a couple of groundball singles in a game in which the Mets were shut out. He’s probably the favorite to open up as the Mets’ right fielders against right-handers, but there is still a long way to go.

Tauchman hit .263/.356/.400 for the White Sox last year and has averaged a .359 OBP and 1.4 fWAR per year as a platoon guy the last three seasons, but no major league offers were forthcoming, it seems. He seems like a nice get for the Mets as a DH and fallback right field option against right-handers, though there might not be room for him if Carson Benge makes the team. If they do somehow carry both Benge and Tauchman, that’d be more bad news for Mark Vientos.

With Fernando Tatis Jr. in right, Soto is already set to play left field for the Dominican Republic in the WBC, and the Mets believe it makes sense to simply keep him there. Soto came up as a left fielder and it’s been his primary position in three of his eight big-league seasons, so it’s not much of a change for him. For the Mets, it just means that Carson Benge and Brett Baty are now battling for the starting job in right, rather than left. Maybe it helps Benge a bit, since he has the stronger arm of the two.

As Ken Rosenthal reports, “Throughout the offseason, [David] Stearns has expressed interest in leaving the door open for Benge to crack the Opening Day roster out of spring training.” To that end, Benge “was never seriously on the table during trade conversations” and could be the favorite to break camp as the Mets’ starting left fielder. He also spent time in the offseason hitting with the Holliday family after he was one of only three players in the minors with at least 15 home runs, 20 steals, a 150 wRC+, and a strikeout rate below 20 percent. If he does win the starting job, he could be a fantasy contributor right away.

Robert has been largely ineffective the last two years and has quite the injury history, but he’s 28, he’s a legit center fielder and he has a career 111 OPS+. This is definitely worth a shot for the Mets, who will be responsible for paying $22 million for one year or $40 million for two. They’ll presumably handle him better than a White Sox organization that mostly expected position players to play through injury. Tyrone Taylor had topped the Mets’ depth chart in center, but now he’ll serve as the fourth outfielder he’s meant to be. He’ll presumably be on the short side of a platoon with Brett Baty in left initially, assuming the Carson Benge now starts off in Triple-A. With Acuña, who was out of options, departing, Ronny Mauricio seems poised for a utility role.

Stearns told reporters following the trade earlier this week, “beyond the immediate player return part of this deal, we think this opens up possibilities and flexibility for us going forward, both from a near-term perspective and also allowing space for a number of very young outfielders who are coming, who are talented and will deserve spots at the major league level and to play at the major league level.” While he didn’t single out Benge specifically, Stearns said earlier this offseason that the 22-year-old center fielder — who hit .281/.385/.462 with 15 homers and 22 steals over 116 games across three levels last year — will have a legitimate chance to make the Opening Day roster. His power/speed blend — underscored by a strong 105.9 mph 90th-percentile exit velocity at Triple-A — and his direct pathway to everyday at-bats make him a prime late-round target for fantasy managers next spring.

Benge enjoyed a meteoric rise this past season, emerging as one of the premier prospects in the fantasy landscape after slashing .281/.385/.462 with 15 homers and 22 steals over 116 games across three levels in New York’s system. The 22-year-old outfielder’s blend of power, speed, and advanced plate discipline makes him a potential X-factor for fantasy managers heading into spring training. He’ll likely get a legitimate chance to break camp as the Mets’ starting center fielder — assuming the front office doesn’t land marquee free agent Kyle Tucker this offseason.

There are more than just elite pitching prospects in New York’s system. Benge is one the verge of ascending to top-25 range dynasty prospect status by season’s end as he’s continued making consistent hard contact in the upper minors while also controlling the strike zone at a borderline elite level. The 22-year-old power-hitter went deep for the first time since being promoted to Triple-A and is slashing a robust .305/.410/.507 with 43 extra-base hits, including 13 round-trippers, and 20 steals in 98 games this season.

All three rank inside the Mets’ top 10 prospects, according to MLB Pipeline, with Jett Williams being the top-ranked prospect, Benge ranked 4th, and Clifford ranked seventh. The Mets’ top-ranked pitching prospect, Jonah Tong, was also promoted to Triple-A on Sunday. Benge was the Mets’ first-round pick in the 2024 MLB Draft, and is one of the fastest risers on top prospect lists after hitting .311/.417/.519 with 12 home runs and 19 steals across 91 games between High-A and Double-A. Williams hit .284 in 95 games at Triple-A with 10 home runs and 32 steals, while Clifford had 24 home runs, four steals, and an .857 OPS in 104 games in Double-A this season. The future of the Mets’ lineup is pretty bright.

Benge told reporters he’ll focus exclusively on hitting as a professional after a two-way collegiate career at Oklahoma State. The 21-year-old outfielder receives a slightly under-slot deal at $3.997 million instead of the full $4.219 for the 16th overall selection.