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Mets Shift Juan Soto to Left Field for 2026 Season

The switch fills the left-field vacancy created by Brandon Nimmo’s trade to Texas.

Overview

  • President of baseball operations David Stearns said Tuesday that Soto will play left field and has been working there this offseason, adding the star feels “really comfortable.”
  • Soto was primarily a right fielder for New York in 2025, making 157 of his 160 appearances in right with three at designated hitter.
  • He has extensive history in left from his early Washington tenure and a 2023 stint with San Diego.
  • With left field settled, right field becomes a competition among Tyrone Taylor, prospect Carson Benge and recent addition MJ Melendez during spring camp.
  • Coverage cites Fangraphs metrics indicating Soto has cost teams runs in both corner spots, fueling discussion about his defensive value.