According to Tim Healey of Newsday, per sources, free-agent backstop J.T. Realmuto‘s injured hip is on the mend after a hip flexor strain kept him out of action for 10 days in September.
Via Healey’s story:
“His hip is back to normal, a source said. The strain that limited him for much of September no longer is an issue, and he has been doing his regular offseason workouts.”
Realmuto, 29, is considered the consensus top available catcher on the market this offseason, and deservedly so.
Since the start of the 2018 season, Realmuto’s 12.3 wins above replacement (FanGraphs) leads all qualified MLB backstops (Yasmani Grandal, 11.6 fWAR, is second) and his 11.2 framing runs (FanGraphs) over that span rank second among the same group (Grandal, 31.5 FRM).
Every major league team needs a catcher with Realmuto’s well-rounded skill set. His advanced metrics are elite (51.9% overall strike rate; 76.6% and 66.8% on the outside corners of the plate) and his .282/.336/.466, 114 wRC+ batting line since 2016 (85 HR, 89.2 MPH average exit velocity, 18.8 fWAR) only ups his value that much higher.
For a player reportedly seeking a five-year contract at what most would consider an advanced age for a catcher (turns 30 on March 18), a lingering hip issue could cause hesitation. Apparently, things are on the up and up in that department.
With the Mets expected to be players on all necessary fronts this offseason and their need for an upgrade behind the plate a priority, New York making a run at Realmuto should be considered a strong possibility.
We’ll keep you updated as the rumor mill continues to churn.
Be sure to check out Tim Healey’s article linked above, expanding on where Realmuto and the Mets stand, respectively, and as a potential fit, heading into the offseason.
