The Texas Rangers are considering waiving center fielder Leody Taveras, which could present an opportunity for the New York Mets to strengthen their roster. As reported, the 26-year-old, who has two years of arbitration remaining and won’t hit free agency until 2028, will clear waivers within 48 hours. If claimed, the new team will pay the remaining $3.8 million of his contract.
The Mets might find Taveras appealing for several reasons. Firstly, acquiring him would only involve financial costs rather than trade negotiations that might require giving up other players. With Jose Siri sidelined, the Mets currently lack a backup center fielder following Tyrone Taylor, with minor league options not providing enough assurance. Jeff McNeil is versatile but not a natural fit in center field, and Brandon Nimmo is not suited for regular center field duties.
Taveras has a solid defensive reputation and would complement Taylor well, providing a left-handed bat to balance the lineup. He boasts impressive base running speed and has shown flashes of promise during his career, including a high sprint speed in the 86th percentile and a peak 2.9 WAR season in 2023.
However, there are concerns. His OPS+ has only exceeded average once, and despite being a former top prospect—ranked highly by Baseball America—his bat hasn’t performed at an expected level consistently. Furthermore, Taveras is out of minor league options, which could create roster flexibility challenges for the Mets down the line.
In light of the Rangers’ offensive struggles—ranking 29th in runs scored before recently firing offensive coordinator Donnie Ecker—there are questions about why they would part with Taveras if they believed he had untapped potential. For the Mets, the decision may come down to evaluating Taveras’s defensive skills against the potential risk of his inconsistent hitting.
This situation illustrates the Mets’ need to bolster their roster while navigating the complexities of player acquisition, particularly when options are limited and questions linger over a player’s long-term value. A thoughtful investment could still yield positive returns if Taveras finds new life in a different environment.