New York Mets: Thy kingdom for a center fielder

The New York Mets have been hammered by the injury bug this season. Key pieces of their rotation and lineup have been sidelined, and yet the Mets have been able to battle their way to the top of the division. Eventually, one would expect the injury situation to improve.

Today will not be that day. The Mets have now lost their top four center fielders, as Johneshwy Fargas left Monday’s contest after crashing into the outfield wall.

New York Mets desperate search for a center fielder

With Fargas being forced from the game, the recently acquired Cameron Maybin finished the game in center. While Maybin has plenty of experience at the position, he is also not the outfielder he once was, shifting to a corner outfield spot. In fact, he had all of eight appearances in center since the start of the 2019 campaign prior to Monday night.

Nonetheless, Maybin may find himself pressed into more action in center than anyone would have expected. Khalil Lee would be the other realistic option to see time in centerfield, with 210 games of minor league experience at the position, but he has spent far more time in right over the past few years.

If Fargas is forced to miss time, this will weaken an already depleted Mets’ bench. Twelve players are currently on the Injured List, including their top three options in center. It remains to be seen if Fargas will end up with the same fate and a stint on the IL himself.

Likewise, it is clear that the Mets’ quest for depth, particularly in the outfield, is not over. Owner Steve Cohen had a tongue in cheek tweet asking if anyone was willing to suit up, but that may be somewhat closer to reality than anyone wants to admit.

The New York Mets injury situation has been an ongoing cause for concern. Now, they may find themselves down to their fifth option in centerfield.