After a surprising run to the National League Championship Series last year, where they won 89 games, the New York Mets are off to a strong start this season, winning eight of their first 12 games. However, their success has come despite a significant issue at the key centerfield position. Currently, the Mets have been alternating between 31-year-old Tyron Taylor and 29-year-old Jose Siri in center. As the team prepares for a three-game series against the Athletics in West Sacramento, California, the pair has managed only five hits in 43 at-bats, despite a combined salary of $5.43 million for the season.
In a Thursday analysis, Kerry Miller of Bleacher Report suggested a potential fix for the Mets’ centerfield dilemma, and it involves a notable baseball name: Mike Yastrzemski. The outfielder for the San Francisco Giants is the grandson of Hall of Famer Carl Yastrzemski, who played for the Boston Red Sox from 1961 to 1983. In 1967, Carl “Yaz” achieved the rare feat of winning the American League Triple Crown, leading in batting average, RBIs, and home runs—a record that stood until Miguel Cabrera accomplished it again in 2012.
In 1971, the Boston Red Sox signed Carl Yastrzemski to a three-year contract worth $500,000, making him the highest-paid player in baseball at the time. Adjusted for inflation, that contract would be equivalent to about $3.9 million today.
Mike Yastrzemski, the grandson of Carl Yastrzemski, is currently in the final year of his one-year, $9.25 million contract with the San Francisco Giants. He will become a free agent after this season, which means the Giants will have to decide whether to trade him or let him leave for just a compensatory draft pick, unless they extend his contract. However, given the Giants’ strong early performance, with a 9-3 record and just half a game behind the NL West-leading San Diego Padres, they might choose to compete this season rather than trade key players.
If the Giants decide to trade Mike Yastrzemski, the Mets could potentially offer an outfield prospect in exchange. Carson Benge, who is currently playing for the High-A Brooklyn Cyclones, was the Mets’ first-round pick last year out of Oklahoma State. According to an MLB Pipeline scouting report, Benge has impressive bat-to-ball skills and makes consistent contact with nearly every pitch type. His exit velocities are also promising, and he has shown the ability to drive power to the opposite field.
Benge is ranked as the Mets’ No. 3 prospect and is listed as the 98th-best prospect in baseball by MLB Pipeline. In his first 13 plate appearances with the Brooklyn Cyclones, he has recorded three hits, three walks, and four strikeouts.
