Former Braves gold glove outfielder joins the dark side

Former Atlanta Braves outfielder Ender Inciarte is signing with the New York Mets and owner Steve Cohen. The Mets are in need of outfield depth.

The signing couldn’t come at a better time for New York, as they just lost Jeff McNeil to a hamstring injury on Monday afternoon. The severity of McNeil’s injury is unknown, but New York was lacking some outfield depth even before the loss of their top utilityman.

Inciarte spent the first portion of this season with the other New York team — the Yankees — but was released after failing to receive regular playing time at the MLB level. While it may sting for Atlanta baseball fans to see Inciarte’s name associated with the Mets, Tom Glavine-style, this is obviously not in the same ballpark.

Inciarte needs work, and the Mets were able to provide it. In Triple-A this year, Inciarte slashed .252/.336/.408 with four home runs and just as many stolen bases.

Mets sign former Braves outfielder Ender Inciarte

Inciarte won three Gold Gloves with Atlanta, and is capable of playing all three outfield spots when healthy. It is that versatility that should grant him an opportunity in Queens, even though this contract is technically of the minor-league variety.

However, Inciarte struggled at the plate in both 2020 and 2021, slashing just .200/.267/.277. Opportunities with the Reds and Yankees went by the wayside, so this could very well be is last, best chance to rebuild his reputation as a solid MLB outfielder.