The New York Mets have been constructed to win this offseason, however ought to a sudden query mark at catcher trigger them to return to the free-agent market?
On Sunday, Mets supervisor Carlos Mendoza informed reporters that beginning catcher Francisco Alvarez would miss six to eight weeks due to a fractured left hamate bone (one in every of eight carpal bones which are located within the decrease row of the wrist on the pinky facet).
This marks the second consecutive 12 months that an damage has brought on Alvarez to overlook vital time within the early portion of the marketing campaign. The 23-year-old missed from April 20 to June 11 final season after tearing a ligament in his left thumb that required surgical procedure. With the damage, he nonetheless performed in 100 video games, slashing .237/.307/.403 and posted an OPS+ of 101. League common is taken into account 100.
Whereas Alvarez is predicted to return someday in April, time is of the essence for the Mets, one in every of three groups (together with the Atlanta Braves and Philadelphia Phillies) which are anticipated to contend for the Nationwide League East title. The primary of the matchups for the Mets in opposition to their two key division rivals comes at dwelling from April 21-23 because the Phillies pay a go to.
That might be concerning the time Alvarez slides again into the lineup, however what concerning the video games earlier than that (with the Mets opening the season on the street in opposition to the Houston Astros on March 27)?
Luis Torrens will probably take over as the first catcher for the Mets. The 28-year-old has a profession OPS+ of 81, together with an 89 final season in his first marketing campaign with the Mets as he appeared in 47 video games, all coming in June or after.
Whereas he’ll probably take the majority of the time behind the plate in Alvarez’s absence, might the Mets make a fast pickup that will increase their manufacturing potential? Veteran catchers Yasmani Grandal and James McCann are each out there by means of free company, with McCann spending a pair of seasons with the Mets in 2021-22 earlier than heading to the Baltimore Orioles.
Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns did not low cost the thought on Sunday morning when requested about wanting outdoors the group for some assist in Alvarez’s absence.
