{"id":60673,"date":"2023-08-17T10:00:14","date_gmt":"2023-08-17T14:00:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/?p=60673"},"modified":"2023-08-17T00:03:39","modified_gmt":"2023-08-17T04:03:39","slug":"are-the-mets-targeting-cody-bellinger-in-free-agency","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2023\/08\/17\/are-the-mets-targeting-cody-bellinger-in-free-agency\/","title":{"rendered":"Are the Mets Targeting Cody Bellinger in Free Agency?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Brandon Nimmo<\/strong><\/a> evolved from a liability to a defensive asset in the center field, thanks to defensive positioning adjustments. Since 2021, the Wisconsin native excelled by setting up deeper in center field, which allowed him to use his speed to get to more balls. Nimmo’s improvements significantly increased his value in free agency this past winter<\/a>. Although he is still in his prime and under team control, are signs possibly pointing to the Mets<\/a>\u00a0targeting Cody Bellinger<\/strong><\/a> in free agency this offseason?<\/p>\n

Sign 1: Nimmo in Left Field<\/h3>\n

Entering Thursday, Nimmo has started five straight games in left field as he manages a left quadricep strain. The injury popped up at the beginning of August and caused Nimmo to miss some games<\/a>. Ideally, playing left (specifically having less ground to cover than in center) allows the injury to heal better without Nimmo missing more games.<\/p>\n

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Update: Brandon Nimmo defined his quad injury as a strain — not a bruise, as a Mets spokesman called it. He estimates that he's at about 85% capacity, and believes playing left field instead of center lessens his risk of aggravating it. Swinging a bat does not hurt Nimmo at all.<\/p>\n

— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) August 12, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n