LAS VEGAS — Carson Benge didn’t arrive in Triple-A until late last season, but the Mets think highly enough of the outfield prospect to consider him a possibility to begin 2026 in the major leagues.
Asked Tuesday at the general managers meetings to identify his center fielder for next season, president of baseball operations David Stearns mentioned veteran Tyrone Taylor and Benge.
“Carson Benge is going to come into spring training with a chance to make our team and we’ll see where the offseason takes us beyond that,” Stearns said.
Benge, 22, was the organization’s first-round pick in the 2024 draft.
He spent most of last season at Double-A Binghamton before getting called up to Syracuse in August. In 24 games for Syracuse, he produced a .178/.272/.311 slash line with three homers.
Jett Williams is another highly regarded prospect with center field experience, but Stearns indicated Williams might be behind Benge in competing for a major league job to begin the season.
“I wouldn’t close the door on anything,” Stearns said. “I think we’ll see where our roster stands.”
Stearns was asked how Benge’s presence in the organization might affect how the team might approach center field this offseason.
“It’s part of a larger conversation,” Stearns said. “When you have good young players at the upper levels of the minor leagues we have to find space for those players to pay. Carson is among them. He’s not the only one but he’s among them.”
Kodai Senga, despite his struggles to work deep into games last season, isn’t considered a bullpen candidate, according to Stearns.
“He’s proven at the major league level he can have really good years,” Stearns said. “The talent is there. The desire is certainly there to have a bounce-back year and we’re going to give him every opportunity to do that.”
Stearns said he isn’t approaching the offseason with a payroll figure as a consideration.
The Mets had a $340 million payroll last season.
“Clearly Steve is committed to supporting our baseball team in any way possible,” Stearns said, referring to team owner Steve Cohen. “As opportunities arise he and I are in regular contact as to what might make the most sense for the team.”
