The Mets' frenzed buying spree continues.
They picked up free agent lefty hitting catcher Omar Narvaez.
Omar is coming off a weak hitting year, but he, in his career, is a very solid .268 vs righties,just .206 vs lefties.
So it seems obvious he'll be platooning and facing just righties.
His contract is for $8 million for 2023, with a $7 million PLAYER option for 2024.
So...
What does this do to the current catching trio of McCann, Nido, and Alvarez?
And if it means McCann gets traded, what sort of market might he have and how much of his 2 remaining years might the Mets have to eat?
10 comments:
I thought Omar Minaya would immediately weigh in here, being expert in “all things Omar,”
It would seem to me to nudge McCann closer than ever to being an ex-Met. Interestingly, there is a finite limit to competent, available catchers. The Mets preemptively removed one of them. That should make, I'd think, the interest in McCann to increase, and perhaps cause the Mets to eat less of his remaining two years.
I cannot see how this doesn't slow down the Alvarez Train a bit.
As I've said before, there are always teams looking for catching help during the season, and McCann becomes more valuable as July Approaches.
I'd keep the 3 veteran catchers around, while giving Alvarez the everyday job at 'Cuse to sharpen his skills.
Nido clearly improved once he played regularly, and IMO deserves to be the primary starter.
Bill that may turn out to be the plan. I just love guys having a Hall of Fame trajectory to get to the majors and play.
Alvarez may never get there, but catchers wear out early, so an early start gets him ABs to begin to build his case.
A normal power prospect would make the case for slowing him down easier. But his two Mets' extra base hits were a 440 foot bomb and a 118 MPH double. So, he in the freak power category that turns mistakes into souvenirs in New Rochelle. I'd like Alvarez on the club from day 1, just like Pete was in 2019.
My guess is Alvarez will now play Syracuse in 2023
Stupid sign
Mack, as of now, I agree.
So what's your plan if Alvarez stays?
Sell low, eat many $$$ on McCann?
Dump the improving Nido?
Keep 4 Catchers?
I don't like any of those. Half a seson of regular play at AAA won't hurt Alvarez.
Well, that signing certainly came out of left field .. no wait, left field is a place they need a bit of depth.
There are a few things that I read into this:
First, they are probably working the trade routes for either McCann or Nido (or both). There are still quite a few teams looking for catching.
Second, Both Alvarez and Narvaez are Venezuelan natives; perhaps there is a thought that Narvaez can provide improved communication for Alvarez.
Third, they wanted a left-handed hitting option for their catching platoon (weak point)
R69's fearless prognostication: The catching tandem on April 1 will be Alvarez/Narvaez. Either McCann or Nido will be deGrom's opening day catcher in Texas. The other one will probably end up in Houston.
Bill, I agree with almost all of it. The point on Narvaez being Venezuelan is excellent. I just would be surprised if the Mets get rid of Nido too (McCann seems like a goner after this)
They can start the season with 3 catchers. I'd say McCann is the odd man out. Eat some of his salary and send him packing.
Nido is the one to go. He will bring back a good set up guy or a second tier prospect. McCann and Narvaiz platoon. Alvarez goes to Syracuse and comes up when he is blowing up the league.
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