The New York Mets have made a strategic move in their offseason by signing former top prospect Cristian Pache to a minor-league contract that includes an invitation to spring training. This decision comes as the team seeks to bolster its outfield options following the trade of Brandon Nimmo to the Texas Rangers, which brought second baseman Marcus Semien to New York.
Pache, who is 27 years old, has had a challenging few seasons but remains a player of interest. Last season, he played in 70 games with the Triple-A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks, having not appeared in Major League Baseball since 2024. During his last MLB stint, he participated in 88 games spread across three teams, finishing the year with a batting average of .200 and a .552 OPS.
The Mets are not stopping with Pache. They are actively exploring additional outfield options to enhance their roster. The team may target high-profile free agents like Cody Bellinger or Kyle Tucker, and is also considering significant trades for players such as Luis Robert Jr., Lars Nootbaar, Jake Meyers, or Jarren Duran. Additionally, they are eager to give top prospect Carson Benge a chance to earn a spot in the lineup, alongside outfielder Tyrone Taylor who is also in contention.
Pache originally gained acclaim as one of the top prospects in baseball while developing in the Atlanta Braves’ system, before being traded to the Oakland Athletics in a significant deal involving Matt Olson in March 2022. Throughout his career in the MLB, which spans over five years and 251 games, Pache has a batting average of .181 with seven home runs and 188 strikeouts. Despite his struggles at the plate, his defensive skills remain noteworthy, particularly his elite arm strength and speed, which enable him to effectively cover ground in all three outfield positions.
The Mets’ acquisition of Pache, coupled with their strategic outlook on adding more talent, signals an active and potentially transformative offseason for the team as they look to improve their performance ahead of the upcoming season.