Access the Mets beat like never before

Don’t miss Mike Puma’s text messages from Queens and beyond — he’s giving Sports+ subscribers the inside buzz on the Mets.

At this year’s trade deadline, the Mets essentially decided upon one center fielder for the rest of the season and decided against one center fielder for their future.

Cedric Mullins, a pending free agent acquired from the Orioles, is the now.

Drew Gilbert, sent to the Giants, will not be the later.

The best bets to play in between Brandon Nimmo and Juan Soto at Citi Field for at least the next handful of seasons are splitting time at the spot with Double-A Binghamton.