After two years with Wilson Ramos behind the plate, the Mets find themselves in need of a starting catcher.
So, who should be behind the dish for the Mets next season? Let’s assess the available options on both the free agent market and the trading block.
J.T. Realmuto
2021 age-season: 30
There’s no confusion as to why the Mets are interested in Realmuto. Not only is he the best free agent backstop; he’s also the best catcher in all of baseball. It’s rare for the top talent at a position to hit free agency in the prime of his career, which explains why Realmuto is so appealing to every club with a catching vacancy. Realmuto excels in all facets of the game: on defense, he’s an elite pitch framer who, in 2019, led the majors with an average pop time of 1.89 seconds on throws to second base. Offensively, his numbers don’t necessarily leap off the page, though he’s posted an OPS of .820 or better in each of the last three seasons. Whereas most catchers lumber around the bases, Realmuto is fleet of foot. He ranked in the majors’ 84th percentile in Sprint Speed this year, his 28.2 ft./second tops among all catchers.
When club president Sandy Alderson said the team will be “shopping in the gourmet section,” fans took it as an indication that no free agent would be off limits. Realmuto’s talent is undeniable, but is he really worth the record-breaking contract he’s said to be seeking? According to Phillies reporter Todd Zolecki of MLB.com, Realmuto is hoping to sign a deal worth $200 million or more. That figure would eclipse the eight-year, $184 million extension that Joe Mauer inked in 2010 for the most lucrative contract ever signed by a catcher.
The greatest cause for concern with Realmuto is his long-term health. He missed 11 games with a hip injury in 2020, and his production fell off considerably after a rip-roaring start. Over his first 24 games of the season, Realmuto was slashing .289/.340/.622 with 9 home runs and 25 RBIs. From August 26th onward, he hit just .241/.357/.349 with two home runs and 7 RBIs over a 23-game stretch.
The physically demanding nature of the position makes it difficult for any catcher to sustain their production through their mid-30s. But Realmuto is not your typical catcher in terms of build, and his ability to lead a pitching staff is just one of the many intangibles he brings to the table. Realmuto is certainly worth pursuing, and new Mets owner Steve Cohen has the financial might to bring him to Queens.
James McCann
2021 age-season: 31
McCann doesn’t have the same star power as Realmuto, but he does possess a similar skill-set behind the plate. His 6-foot-3 stature makes him a large target, even when crouched. McCann’s height hurt his Statcast pitch framing metrics in 2019; he was one of the best at catching strikes at the top of the zone, but struggled to receive pitches at the knees. His work with former big-league catcher Jerry Narron helped him rectify these issues, and in 2020 he was an AL Gold Glove finalist.
McCann pairs his improved framing skills with an excellent arm: he owns a 36% caught stealing rate for his big league career. Surprisingly, the 2019 All-Star is not a huge drop-off from Realmuto in terms of offensive production. Over the last two seasons, McCann has actually produced a better OPS+ (114) than Realmuto (112), as well as a higher wRC+ (144 to Realmuto’s 125).
Realmuto is the better overall player, but McCann is a more than serviceable option who will come at a reasonable price. If the Mets miss out on Realmuto, McCann is the catcher they should target.
Yadier Molina
2021 Age-Season: 38
Yadier Molina is still persona non grata among the Flushing Faithful because of the back-breaking home run he hit in Game 7 of the 2006 NLCS. There is a possibility, however slim, that Molina could sign with the Mets this winter. The 17-year veteran, who has spent his entire career with the Cardinals, is now a free agent for the first time.
Molina’s reputation as the best defensive catcher of his era is well deserved, but at 38 years old, his career is nearing its logical endpoint. While he possesses elite bat-to-ball skills (13.5% strikeout rate in 2020), Molina has posted an OPS below league average in four of the last six seasons. He is seeking a two-year commitment, though he may ultimately have to settle for a one-year deal.
Gary Sanchez
2021 Age-Season: 28
Sanchez is rumored to be on the trading block after batting just .147 in 49 games for the Yankees this year. Once considered the top slugger at the catching position, Sanchez has fallen out of favor in the Bronx. He had more passed balls and wild pitches than any other catcher in baseball in 2020 (24), and has developed a reputation for being lackadaisical behind the dish.
Sanchez will be just 28 years old next season, and while his strikeout numbers are alarming (64 Ks in 156 AB this year), he crushed the ball when he managed to make contact. Statcast had him ranked in the majors’ 89th percentile in exit velocity, 92nd percentile in hard-hit percentage, and 97th percentile in barrel percentage. Though Sanchez may not be a lost cause, he’s likely too much of a risk for the Mets to trade anything of value.
Searle’s Final Say
J.T. Realmuto is the big fish that the Mets will try to reel in this winter. He’ll command a large contract, however, so there’s no guarantee that he’ll land in Flushing. Personally, I think James McCann is a terrific backup option with untapped offensive potential. If Realmuto goes elsewhere, McCann is a worthy substitute.
