The Mets added a veteran defensive presence to their roster depth Monday.

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Cristian Pache, regarded mostly for his range and strong arm, reached agreement with the club on a minor league contract, an industry source confirmed. Pache, 27, spent last season in Triple-A for the Diamondbacks after playing for three organizations in 2023. Pache will receive an invite to spring training.

It’s likely the Mets view Pache in the same light as Jose Siri, who was acquired last offseason to give the team depth behind another defensive specialist, Tyrone Taylor. Siri spent most of the season on the injured list rehabbing a fractured left tibia and was released by the club after returning in August.

Pache, whose career began with the Braves, posted a .200/.273/.279 slash line with one homer and 16 RBIs with the Phillies, Orioles and Marlins in 2024.

As it stands, the Mets have Taylor and prospect Carson Benge as center field possibilities for next season. The Mets have a glaring vacancy in left field following the trade that sent Brandon Nimmo to Texas for Marcus Semien. Jeff McNeil (a possibility to be traded) remains as a utility option who can play all three outfield positions in addition to second base.

President of baseball operations David Stearns indicated last week at the Winter Meetings that he was confident there is enough remaining inventory on the market to potentially give the Mets a boost in the outfield.

“I think between what’s available in free agency and some of the names that are being talked about in the trade market that there’s a pretty robust group out there, a robust market,” Stearns said. “We’re going to continue to explore that, and I think we have got some really good internal candidates as well.”

Benge, 22, was the organization’s first-round pick in the 2024 draft. He spent most of last season at Double-A Binghamton before his promotion in August to Triple-A Syracuse, where he struggled offensively.

The Mets also have prospect Jett Williams as a center field option, but Stearns previously indicated the 22-year-old is likely slightly behind Benge and may not be ready to compete for a job in spring training.

Last week was a whirlwind for the Mets, who lost Edwin Díaz and Pete Alonso to free agency before agreeing to a two-year contract worth $40 million with Jorge Polanco, who is expected to be part of the first base equation. Polanco, a switch-hitter, could also join Mark Vientos in the DH equation.

Cody Bellinger remains a top outfield option available on the free agent market. The former NL Rookie of the Year and MVP would also give the Mets another first base option if he were signed.

But the Mets could also look to fill left field through a trade, potentially one that would also bring help for the rotation or bullpen. The Mets and Padres have had discussions about players, according to a source, and Ramón Laureano is among the names that would make sense for left field at Citi Field.

The Mets could use young pitching as trade capital, and also have infield pieces that could be dealt, with a list that includes McNeil, Vientos, Ronny Mauricio and Luisangel Acuña.