"Over the last month or so, as [manager Carlos Mendoza] and Juan were talking about the season, Juan was working out in left field because he's gonna play left field for the [Dominican Republic] at the World Baseball Classic, Stearns said. As they had their conversations, he felt really comfortable there. It made sense for us from a roster perspective, so we're gonna go forward with it, and everyone is on board with it."
"Soto has primarily played right field in recent years, including 157 during his debut season with the Mets last season. But he has plenty of experience in left, having started 458 big-league games there. Not something we had really contemplated coming into the offseason, Stearns said. But as we've had conversations over the last month, it made sense for all involved."
"The right-field vacancy will now become a significant competition in spring training, with the club's No. 2 prospect, Carson Benge, expected to get every chance to win that job out of camp. Brett Baty and Tyrone Taylor will also be in the mix for time in right field. Baty is expected to be the Mets' super-utility man after the departure of Jeff McNeil, as he will spend the spring also playing first, second, and third base."
The New York Mets will move Juan Soto from right field to left field for the 2026 season. Soto has significant left-field experience, with 458 big-league starts there, despite playing primarily in right field recently, including 157 games in his Mets debut season. Brandon Nimmo's departure to the Texas Rangers created the left-field vacancy Soto will now occupy. The right-field job will be contested in spring training, with prospect Carson Benge expected to receive a major opportunity. Brett Baty and Tyrone Taylor will also compete for right-field time. Baty is slated to serve as a super-utility player while Taylor is the primary center-field backup after the Luis Robert Jr. trade.
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