It has been a long wait for Mets fans who love great defense. The team has not won a Gold Glove Award in twelve years. That drought could finally end this weekend. According to Yahoo Sports, Luis Torrens, Nolan McLean, and Carson Benge were announced Wednesday afternoon as finalists for the 2026 Rawlings Gold Glove Award.
The winners will be revealed on Sunday, November 1, on ESPN. Each league has three finalists at every position. The selection process relies heavily on votes from managers and coaches, who make up 75 percent of the total score, according to MLB.com. The other 25 percent comes from advanced defensive metrics. If any of the three Mets win, it would be a massive boost for a roster that has spent years trying to fix its defense.
Backstop Excellence for Torrens
Luis Torrens is the first finalist listed for the Mets. He plays catcher and has a real shot at the hardware. Yahoo Sports reported that Torrens achieved a Fielding Run Value of 10 while appearing in just 91 games. This number ranks second in the National League, trailing only the Marlins’ Joe Mack. His 12 Defensive Runs Saved placed him third in all of baseball, behind only the Tigers’ Dillon Dingler and the Diamondbacks’ Gabriel Moreno. If he wins, Torrens becomes the first catcher in Mets history to take home a Gold Glove.
The competition is stiff. Freddy Fermin from the Padres and Gabriel Moreno from the Diamondbacks are the opponents Torrens must defeat. Fermin had a 9 Fielding Run Value, while Moreno posted a 7. Torrens was also a finalist last year but lost to Patrick Bailey of the Giants. Bailey was traded midseason and did not make this year’s list. Torrens has a strong case to finally break through after falling short in 2025.
A Historic Chance for McLean
Nolan McLean is the second Mets player on the ballot. He is a pitcher and has a unique opportunity. McLean posted 4 Defensive Runs Saved, which tied for the third-most in the National League, according to Audacy. The Cardinals’ Michael McGreevy led the group with 5, while Chris Sale of the Braves finished with 3. Should McLean claim the title, he would become the first Mets pitcher to win the award since Ron Darling in 1989.
McLean is also a rookie. If he wins, he would be the first rookie pitcher in Major League history to win the award. This would be a historic moment for the franchise. The trio of finalists includes McGreevy and Sale, who are both seasoned veterans. McLean’s ability to limit runs and control the running game has impressed the voters. He has done enough to force a conversation about his defensive skills.
Benge’s Cannon and Range Issues
Carson Benge rounds out the Mets’ trio in right field. His case is the most interesting of the three. Benge has an elite arm that saved 7 Defensive Runs, per Yahoo Sports. His arm value of 7 was the best among all outfielders in the majors. He made many highlight-reel throws that kept runners from advancing. However, his range is a concern. Statcast grades him at -1 Outs Above Average, which is below average.
Corbin Carroll of the Diamondbacks and Seiya Suzuki of the Cubs present difficult challenges for Benge. Suzuki has a much higher range, with 14 Defensive Runs Saved compared to Benge’s 7. If voters value Benge’s arm and his diving ability, he could win. If they value overall range, Suzuki might take the prize. Juan Lagares would be joined by Benge as the second Mets rookie Gold Glove winner if Benge is victorious.
The Mets have three players with a chance to change the team’s defensive legacy. Torrens, McLean, and Benge represent a new wave of defensive talent. The fans in Queens will be watching closely on Sunday. A win for any of them would end a twelve-year drought and prove that the Mets can play elite defense.
