Jesse Winker suffered a setback in his rehab that will effectively end his season,, while Tyrone Taylor was recently placed on the injured list with a hamstring issue. Jose Siri also remains sidelined, still working his way back from a fractured tibia.
With multiple outfielders down, the Mets may be forced to dip into the free-agent market. Two names who could make sense are Eddie Rosario and Alex Verdugo, both of whom spent time with the division-rival Atlanta Braves earlier this year.
Eddie Rosario
A 10-year veteran, Rosario has only appeared in five games across two teams this season. However, his postseason pedigree is well documented. During Atlanta’s 2021 World Series run, Rosario earned NLCS MVP honors, hitting .560 with three home runs in that series alone. Across 30 career postseason appearances, Rosario owns a .289 batting average with five homers and 14 RBIs — exactly the kind of experience the Mets could use if they make a playoff push.
Alex Verdugo
Verdugo, meanwhile, played 56 games for the Braves this season before being released following the reinstatement of Jurickson Profar. While he struggled in Atlanta, batting .239 with 31 strikeouts, he still showed flashes of his contact ability, collecting 46 hits. Like Rosario, Verdugo has October experience, appearing in 25 postseason games with the Red Sox and Yankees, where he posted a .256 average with two homers and 14 RBIs.
Neither Rosario nor Verdugo represents a long-term solution, but both could provide the Mets with much-needed outfield depth and valuable postseason know-how.