8
2012
Mets Top Target Is Catcher Miguel Olivo
An article by 
“I’ve always believed the greater danger is not aiming too high, but too low, settling for a bogey rather than shooting for an eagle” - Peter Smith
“If the Mets go the free-agent route at catcher, Miguel Olivo is now their top target”, a major league source told ESPN New York on Tuesday.
Yesterday, Sandy Alderson admitted that “the trade market for catchers doesn’t look all that promising” and also added, “but the free agent market is also thin”.
When the season ended, Alderson sounded like a man who had seen enough of Josh Thole after two years of evaluating him. But it soon became apparent that Thole would be back and getting the lion’s share of playing time behind the dish. This became confirmed when the Mets decided to tender Thole an offer after some speculation he would be non-tendered.
By the time the calendar turned to November, it was quite clear the Mets were looking for a backup catcher to platoon with Thole rather than an upgrade at starting catcher.
Kelly Shoppach didn’t impress the team in his short stint with the Mets in 2012 and Rubin earlier reported that the front office was determined not to revisit any of the former Mets on the market, including Shoppach, Rod Barajas and former farmhand Jesus Flores.
That brings us back to Olivo. The righthanded hitting backstop is 34 and would probably qualify as the best defensive catcher under the Alderson era if they were to sign him. But that’s not saying much.
Olivo batted .222 in 323 at-bats with the Seattle Mariners in 2012, but was equally ineffective from both sides of the plate swinging an unimpressive .221 against lefties and .223 against righties.
As I stated right from the start, despite the promise of wholesale changes, I don’t believe we’ll see one significant upgrade this offseason. It’s already apparent that we are not improving behind the plate, the bullpen will largely remain intact, and in fact the rotation could take a significant hit if Dickey is traded. The bench was already downgraded with Brandon Hicks replacing the effective utility infielder Ronny Cedeno. No changes are planned for the infield, and they’ll need to add a 25 home run bat in the outfield just to maintain last year’s production which was still ranked the worst in baseball. I don’t say these things to turn fans off or to come off like a pessimist, but this is exactly where the team stands right now… Like it or not…
About the Author: Joe DeCaro
I'm a lifelong Mets fan who loves writing and talking about the Amazins' 24/7. From the Miracle in 1969 to the magic of 1986, and even the near misses in '73 and '00, I've experienced it all - the highs and the lows. I started Mets Merized Online in 2005 to feed my addiction. Follow me on Twitter @metsmerized.
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NL East Standings
| Team | W | L | Pct. | GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Braves | 42 | 30 | .583 | - |
| Phillies | 35 | 37 | .486 | 7.0 |
| Nationals | 34 | 36 | .486 | 7.0 |
| Mets | 27 | 40 | .403 | 12.5 |
| Marlins | 22 | 48 | .314 | 19.0 |
Last updated: 06/19/2013
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Wholesale Changes
I know right? I mean, why not just go to a team with a top 3 catcher and just demand that they send him to the New York Mets.
Wow….
I took a quick look at what was obviously available and there are no good options. Flores would have been the best IMO. I never would trade talent for Salty his low average and Fenway/Arlington power does not impress me. The FA market is also quite thin. I do think Hernandez is available but I’m not sure if that is really an upgrade at this point. To be honest I am really much more focused on what Alderson does for the outfield.
Instead of Jose Reyes, at least we’ll have his best man and godfather of his child.
As I stated right from the start, despite the promise of wholesale changes, I don’t believe we’ll see one significant upgrade this offseason. It’s already apparent that we are not improving behind the plate, the bullpen will largely remain intact, and in fact the rotation could take a significant hit if Dickey is traded. – quote from joe D.
Joe, you cant have it both ways. If they trade somebody its going to weaken that position so do you want them to trade starting pitching – the only place they have some depth or do they keep dickey and keep the rotation at full strength? make up your mind cause you cant have your cake an eat it too. ya know what i mean?
Well, the Wilponzis could allow BOTH Hairston and Ross to be signed–improving the OF and power, and they could trade a couple of minor leaguers for Arencibia (catching and power). The bullpen? I’m running out of ideas, but they’re paying Alderson and company a pile of dough to figure this out.
How about we stop pretending we are going to be a contender?
Does it matter who we sign on a 1 year deal for 2013?
Bingo. something people aren’t comprehending.
Steve, I also hope they re-sign hairston or even better sign Cody Ross. Now that they have some flexiblity from bay and wright I am expecting some moves to be made soon.
Olivo blows
Most catchers blow. I remember Met fans crying they wanted Shoppach (since Nickeas and Johnson were not the answer) and look how he turned out. The fact that Josh Thole is the best the Mets organization could churn out in the last 20 years (or Flores) is telling. I guess drafting a catcher wasnt in the mindset of the last few GMs.
They drafted a catcher last year with one of the picks they got from reyes. I forget his name but he seems to have nice potential. He just got into the system so he wont be in queens any time soon.
Kevin Plawecki
If our top target hits a lowly .222 then pray tell what the hell does the guy who is at the Bottom of our target list hit?
Negative .300?
The thing I remember most about Olivo is, wasn’t he the guy who went after Reyes when he was on 3rd during the final series of the year with the Marlins, the first time they knocked us out? He was supposed to be one of Reyes’ buddies too.
Olivo is not a good choice. You might as well bring back Kelly who his more productive with the bat. With Josh Thole defenses skills behind the plate, his learning curve should be at his peak with all the training he has done. He could now focus on his production with his bat a be the hitter he was when they brought him up. This is his year to do it. NOT OLIVO he’s not worth it, a 199 BA. you gotta be kidding me. Wake up and smell the Sandy A. and don’t do it
i do not mind a half-assed catcher with good defensive skills but Olivo is just a flat out bum.