Brandon Nimmo - Short Term or Long Term Answer?

While reviewing a bunch of random Mets related articles yesterday (Monday), I came across a piece that was basically a review of the Mets' Spring Training match up with the Detroit Tigers.  As most of you know, the Mets "won" the ballgame 4-2 in Port St. Lucie and one of the "stars" of the game was our very own Brandon Nimmo.

BN was 1-3 on the day, to include a home run and two runs scored, while hitting in the lead off spot for the home side.  At times, Spring Training lineups can be a bit unpredictable since most managers are experimenting with different looks, in the hopes of nailing down the most effective line up going forward.  Despite this fact, I think BN hitting in the lead off spot yesterday has a bit more significance then
your normal result.

During the aforementioned interview, new Mets' manager Mickey Callaway stated "we're looking for certain qualities in hitters in certain spots......he (Nimmo) definitely fits a mold of what you'd be looking for in that leadoff spot."  MC is new to all of us in Mets' land, so I am not quite sure how to read him, yet.  However, early returns are that he is pretty straight forward and he likely means what he says (at the moment, anyway). 

I put together a previous article on the importance of a good lead off hitter in any lineup AND the lack of a lead off hitter on the Mets' current roster. Along with the lack of left handed pitching options in the bullpen, this is a major area of need for the 2018 season, in my opinion.  Complicating the issue is the method in which Sandy constructed his outfield in the off season.

Clearly, Yoenis Cespedes will be the primary left fielder, so that issue has been put to bed.  Most of us thought that a possible platoon of Juan Lagares and Brandon Nimmo would patrol center field, leaving right field for Michael Conforto (once he recovered from off season surgery).  However, Sandy pulled Jay Bruce out of the hat and he pretty much has to play right field, with the occasional appearance at first base.  This puts a kink in the listed plan, since MC now has to play primarily in center field. That, in turn, results in JL and BN moving to the bench once everyone is healthy and in their normal positions on the field.

I like JB, but I didn't see a fit at the time and I don't see one now. In addition to possible defensive alignment issues, the lineup does not have a true lead off hitter.
In the short term (the first month of the season), that issue will be mitigated by MC's absence as he rehabilitates.  Combine that with yet another injury for JL and you have a "golden opportunity" for BN to showcase his skills.

BN, who will celebrate a birthday in a few weeks, will play the 2018 season as a 25 year old. He is the closest thing to a lead off hitter that MC has to pick from and he is as ready to play as he will ever be, based on his age (no longer a prospect) and not having much left to prove at AAA. 

Here are Brandon's statistics over his two "part time" years in MLB;

295 Appearances (roughly one half of a season)

.264/.367/.392 (.759 OPS)

6 HR/27 RBI/2 SB and 38 R

1.0 WAR (mostly earned in 2017)

Slightly negative dWAR (only 12 starts in CF)

The listed statistics should be taken with a grain of salt, since BN has not had the luxury of being a "regular" at the MLB level, to include a normal position on the field and in the lineup.  He also lacks two vital traits that a good lead off hitter should possess, namely game changing speed and above average defensive prowess.  But, he does have an above average "batting eye" which leads to a lot of walks and a decent on base percentage.  Plus, he is not arbitration eligible until 2020 and free agency does not kick in until 2023.

So, this issue raises a couple of questions, such as;

Do you give BN a chance to be the regular center fielder and lead off hitter until MC is ready to return?

What do the Mets do with BN if he is playing well at that point?

What happens to JL if there is no where for him to play when he is "healthy"?

What say you, armchair GM's?