MLB Scout Calls Out Mets Roster, 'Their Best Hitters are Bad Defenders and Vice Versa'

After the New York Mets fell short of the playoffs, some around MLB are questioning the makeup of their expensive roster.

Tim Britton and Will Sammon of The Athletic spoke to an MLB scout who called out the Mets' defensive issues, many of which stem from their star players.

"Their best hitters are bad defenders and vice versa," the scout said.

The Mets finished the year with an 83-79 record after previously having the best record in the majors at 45-24. New York's $340 million payroll, which included the most expensive contract in sports history given to star slugger Juan Soto, wasn't enough to get the team into the expanded postseason a year after making a run to the National League Championship Series.

Britton and Sammon pointed out that Jeff McNeil, Brandon Nimmo, Pete Alonso and Francisco Lindor "are into their 30s; defense typically declines at that stage." While Soto had another strong year at the plate with 43 home runs and 105 RBI, he reportedly "graded out as one of the sport's worst defenders this season, according to advanced metrics."

Alonso is the only position player not under contract for the Mets next season. According to Britton and Sammon, "One team source labeled this [president of baseball operations David] Stearns' biggest and most intriguing challenge this winter. Another looked at the solution in broader terms — that the Mets needed to become the type of team and organization that more consistently improves defenders."

The Mets will have a lot of time to figure things out before free agency this winter, so fans will certainly be anxious to see how the team tries to improve over the offseason.