ESPN’s Jorge Castillo reports this that Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns said outfielder Juan Soto will move to left field. Soto was the Mets right fielder in 2025.
Soto has extensive experience in the left field. He was the Washington Nationals’ left fielder from 2018 through 2020 before moving to right field in 2021. The San Diego Padres re-signed Soto to left field in 2023, but he returned to right field after being traded to the New York Yankees.
Juan Soto’s position change doesn’t mean the Mets prospect is locked up in 2026
Soto’s defense was questionable no matter what corner position he had in the outfield. While he’s had his moments, Fangraphs mentions that Soto cost his team 14 runs left and five runs right. His move to the left is likely a stop before he transitions into a full-time designated hitter role.
Moving Soto to the left also moves the void in the Mets’ outfield across the diamond. Tyrone Taylor, prospect Carson Benge and recently signed MJ Melendez are expected to compete for the starting role in right field.
The job could be Benge’s to lose. Taylor has been an excellent defensive outfielder, but is best used as a backup. Melendez has yet to prove he can score consistently at the Major League level and is coming off a brutal outing in 2025. If Benge performs well in spring training, he could be part of the Mets’ Opening Day roster.
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