It was intended as a joke.
“Outfield? What outfield?” Mets general manager Sandy Alderson quipped at the GM meetings in November, referring to the unproven outfielders on the team’s roster.
However, Alderson’s joke morphed into reality — the Mets’ outfield has been a revolving door. Perhaps the biggest example of that is Collin Cowgill, who started on Opening Day but was demoted to Triple-A three weeks ago.
Last week, the team signed Rick Ankiel, who has provided relative stability in starting six of the team’s last seven games in center field, including last night’s 4-3 loss to the Reds. He is already the sixth different center fielder to start for the team this season.
With the Mets struggling and showing no signs of turning it around, the team is not likely to pursue a big-name outfielder via trade. However, it’s quite possible that one of next season’s outfielders was at Citi Field last night — in another uniform.
Patrolling center field for the Reds was Shin-Soo Choo, a career .290 hitter who is in his first season with the team after being acquired from the Indians in December.
The 30-year-old Choo, who is hitting .303 so far this season to go along with a .455 on-base percentage, can be a free agent after the season.
“He would be a good fit for anybody,” an American League scout told The Post. “He brings a little bit of everything: power, speed, hitting for average, and getting on base. He can play all three outfield positions. He’s disciplined and can serve as a good influence for younger outfielders. He can also take pressure off other players.”
Last night was Choo’s first game at Citi Field.
“I’m excited to play in front of the Korean fans. They put a good type of pressure on [you],” the native of Pusan, South Korea, said after going 0-for-3 with two walks and a run scored.
Choo said he hasn’t given much thought to where he could be next season. But when asked if he could see himself in Flushing next season, he didn’t rule it out.
“With New York, you never know. If I have a good opportunity, I’ll take it,” he said.