Jul
31
2012

With Torreabla And Shoppach Available, Should Mets Take A Flier?

An article by Dan Valis

Kelly Shoppach would be a great addition to the Mets as he bats right handed with some power, which is something we could really use from our backstops. His best season came with Cleveland where he hit 21 home runs back in 2008. After he left the Indians he struggled for a few seasons with Tampa Bay, but appears to have rebounded with the Red Sox this season.

Shoppach, 32, is a free agent to be and is making just $1.3 million this season and could be a very affordable option for the Mets in 2013. He could also be good enough offensively to supplant Thole as the starter, so if we could acquire him on the cheap, it may be worth a shot.

In 2012 Shoppach is batting .261 with five home runs, 15 RBI, and 11 doubles in just 119 at-bats.

Torrealba, 34, is a veteran catcher with a some pop. He bats right handed, is a good defensive catcher and is a better overall hitter than Mike Nickeas or Rob Johnson. He is young enough to be re-signed and be an effective back up or platoon option with Thole against lefties in 2013.

He will be a free agent after the season and could be a bargain for the Mets who are sorely in need of an adequate right handed catching option. Torrealba has never been known for his offense, but his veteran leadership could be very useful with the influx of young pitching set to hit the rotation over the next few seasons.

In 2012 Torrealba is batting .236 with three home runs, 12 RBI and eight doubles in 161 at-bats.

About the Author: Dan Valis

I am a staff writer for Mets Merized Online. I am a Mets team analyst with a focus on the minor league system, as well as the major league club. I am a lifelong New Yorker who was born and raised to be a Mets fan. The ups and downs of being a Mets fan is what makes following this team so much fun, but at times so frustrating. You can follow me on Twitter @BgAppleMetsTalk.

9 Comments + Add Comment

Metsie July 31, 2012 at 12:24 pm

Well if both are FA at the end of the year then why would we make a trade for them and not just wait till then to make a bid on them?
Mitch Petanick July 31, 2012 at 3:18 pm

Since when are players that hit 3 & 5 HR respectively, considered to have “pop?”
- Alex68 July 31, 2012 at 3:20 pm
  
  Lmao, i know right??? Comical stuff lately here man..
  - Amazin July 31, 2012 at 3:28 pm
    
    The GM is so inept he can’t even pull the trigger on his # 1 priority; a backup catcher.
- Metsie July 31, 2012 at 3:27 pm
  
  Well it’s kind of like the way rotten bread appears to be a feast to a starving pauper!
  
  When you are a cheap assed Front Office and refuse to spend money on something good a guy with 5 HRs has plenty of POP compared to the rest of the players your willing to spend on!
  - Mitch Petanick July 31, 2012 at 3:28 pm
    
    Damn Moneyball lol
Even Flow July 31, 2012 at 3:26 pm

Wish the Mets would have the ability to obtain both, but since that won’t be, Shoppach should be the #1 objective upon looking for a backstop, but Torrealba wouldn’t be a bad option either. Neither will cost much to begin with.
L.J. Phipps July 31, 2012 at 8:01 pm

No!
metsfan96 August 1, 2012 at 12:41 am

we should have signed pudge before he retired

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