The New York Mets may need a replacement in center field if Brandon Nimmo leaves in free agency.
Starling Marte played center from 2020-21 for the Arizona Diamondbacks, Miami Marlins and Oakland Athletics, but he moved to right field in deference to Nimmo after signing with the Mets last offseason.
Billy Eppler said the club would be comfortable using the 34-year-old as their primary center fielder in 2023 if necessary.
“Can Starling still play center field? Yeah, we believe he can,” the general manager said. “That opens up some optionality for how we ultimately fill out that outfield. … We do have the ability to slide Marte over to center for a number of games, over 50% of the games. He’s got that ability to do that. … We are comfortable with him in center field.”
