J.T. Realmuto would be the preference, as the Mets need to upgrade at the catcher position and he is at the top of the class. But if not Realmuto, there are other options on the market to consider.. The others, all over 30 years of age, and could be a minor improvement over Wilson Ramos.
Ramos, 32 years old, and with a good second half in 2019, is better suited to be elsewhere as the Mets desperately need an upgrade at the position after a 2020 slash line of .241/.301/.376.
And the Mets can’t get better at the position with Rene Rivera or 36-year old Robinson Chirinos and his $6.5 MM club option with a $1 million buyout. Steve Cohen, with expected control reportedly will go all out and sign the 30-year old Realmuto,
But in the event the Mets fail in acquiring the coveted free agent, and with the Yankees and Phillies reportedly in the hunt, there are some options.
Some of the free agents if the Mets lose out on Realmuto: James McCann, Austin Romine, Mike Zunino, Jason Castro, Alex Avila, Welington Castillo, Sandy Leon, Tyler Flowers. Yes, a good catcher is hard to find, but there are many veterans on the market.
And there are trade possibilities, although the Mets don’t have much to offer. Pitching is a commodity and the once and rich prospect list is no longer a part of the Mets.
Anyone interested in Gary Sanchez?
The Yankees are hinting at moving Sanchez, but the possibility of a Mets-Yankees crosstown trade is not happening, unless of course, a real blockbuster serves needs for both teams.
Of the available free agent options, and putting Relamuto on the side, the names of Zunino, Romine, McCann, and Flowers are interesting options. Again, how much of the expected Steve Cohen money will get this done?
Regardless, the catching position needs an upgrade and for the better. Francisco Alvarez, their top prospect, is a few years away and with no minor league system this year his progress was difficult to determine. Any thoughts of reacquiring Travis d’Arnaud are out of the equation with his permanent spot in the Braves lineup.
Here are some preferences and not in any particular order and a consensus of some insiders if the Mets don’t win and acquire Realmuto
Mike Zunino, 30 years old.
A career .200 hitter, not what the Mets need for production at the position. He tends to strike out often and that has been an issue for the Mets getting production out of the position. He hit two home runs and drove in four runs for the Rays in the ALCS vs. the Astros. Average defender and would not be much of an upgrade.
Austin Romine, 32 years old
Finally got a starting role with the Tigers after seven years as a backup in the Bronx with the Yankees. But there was a production drop of .238/.260/.317 this season that were not in line with his career numbers. Age has caught up with Romine and he is better suited as a backup.
The other options are interesting with McCann and Flowers, after the latter lost a starting role with the Braves when a healthy d’Arnaud became the hitter the Mets expected when he was acquired in the trade for Noah Syndergaard.
James McCann, 31 years old
Last year he had a good start and was an All-Star, but his numbers tailed off at the end. With the White Sox in 2020, the right-hander hit .289/.360/.536 in 97 at bats with seven home runs and 15 RBI. The negative is McCann does strike out often. Though, the scouts say he is above average and had a strong ratio with runners caught stealing. They feel he would be a good option for the Mets.
Tyler Flowers, 35 years old
“Good hitter against left-handed pitching, but lack of consistency has hurt him,” said a former and longtime scout with the Braves. But the right-handed-hitting Flowers saw the production against southpaw pitching decline the past two seasons. And regulated to a backup status he could be an alternative if the Mets need to look beyond Realmuto.
Rich Mancuso: Twitter@Ring786 Facebook.com/Rich Mancuso
