Reese Kaplan -- Maybe a Straight Defensive Catcher is Not the Way to Go

One thing that was a highly pleasant surprise for the Mets fans in 2019 was the high level of production they got from their bats.  We all know about the exploits of Pete Alonso, Michael Conforto, J.D. Davis, Jeff McNeil, Amed Rosario and others.  Often, however, that offensive output came at the expense of defense which, in turn, has a great many folks beating the drums to improve the defense up the middle. 

The problem, of course, is that stellar defensive players often are not nearly as adept with a bat in their hands.  Juan Lagares, Tomas Nido and others are good examples of this one-way talent issue.  If the Mets actually were trotting out Yoenis Cespedes to go along with Michael Conforto and someone else in the outfield, you could make the case that you could withstand a defensive minded centerfielder and catcher. 

The problem is that health of Cespedes and Lowrie are not even well known enough by their own general manager that he can comment as to what can be expected from them or when they will put on a uniform, capable of playing regularly.   Consequently, if the season started tomorrow, you would see more combinations of J.D. Davis and Dominic Smith playing out of position in the outfield with Brandon Nimmo and/or Michael Conforto in centerfield.  (This conjecture presumes Jeff McNeil would be inserted at the Todd Frazier/Jed Lowrie spot at 3B). 

In 2020 there are a number of contracts coming off the books, including Jed Lowrie, Yoenis Cespedes, Wilson Ramos, Justin Wilson and others.  That means a lot of money will be available in the future, but right now it’s sunk into the current payroll. 

The Mets minor league system is somewhat barren of positional prospects other than shortstops, so it might make sense for the front office to explore how to address some of these future issues now to help with not just 2020, but beyond.

Coincidentally, the Chicago Cubs have allegedly considered breaking up the core of offensive players on their roster, including putting Kris Bryant and Kyle Schwarber on the trading block.  While both are certainly enticing offensive players, there is another who’s rumored to be available that I would target instead. 

27-year-old catcher Willson Contreras is a slightly better than average defensive backstop.  His pitch framing skills are not elite, but he is pretty good when it comes to fielding his position.  More importantly, once Ramos is gone, there is no one who looks ready to stake a claim for the Mets catching position. 

The Cubbies would rightfully ask for a lot for Contreras, though probably not quite as much as the Marlins wanted for J.T. Realmuto.  Contreras has bounced between the plate and LF while playing part time over his four seasons in the bigs.  Last year in just 360 ABs he hit 24 HRs, drove in 64 and batted .272.  In 2018 he had a down year with the bat, hitting just .249 with 10 HRs and 54 RBIs, but in 2017 he hit .276 with 21 HRs and 74 RBIs in 428 ABs.  It would be reasonable to assume he’s a lock for 25 HRs on a full time basis.  His career average of .263 is respectable as well.  More importantly, he is arbitration eligible for the first time and not a free agent until 2023.  Trading for Contreras would enable you to trade Ramos, free up his $10.25 million salary and solidify your catching for the next two years. 

What would it take to get him?  Ah, there’s the rub.  The Cubbies are pretty stacked offensively.  If it took a J.D. Davis as part of a deal to land him would you do it?  I’d certainly have to consider it given that the Mets don’t really have a place to play him.  Ditto Dominic Smith.  The problem is that Smith alone would not get it done and even Davis alone might make the Cubs ask for more given the dearth of catching options in the majors.  Contreras delivered 3.1 WAR last year which is mighty impressive. 

The trade would indeed improve the Mets defensively via addition by subtraction and free up money to address other issues assuming you could find a taker for Ramos.  The Mets do have a third year option for $10 million but catchers generally do not age well and Ramos has spent a large chunk of his career fighting injuries.  Selling a year too soon might make sense.