Right now, New York Mets‘ fans are forced to watch how Travid D’Arnaud wreaks havoc in every rival pitching staff he has faced with the Atlanta Braves in the postseason. It has to sting, at least a little.
The Mets got relatively good production from Wilson Ramos in 2019, but he was below average in 2020, hitting .239/.297/.387 with a subpar .297 wOBA and an 89 wRC+. He improved with the glove, but regressed with the bat, and, at 33 years old, the New York Mets are unlikely to exercise their club option for 2021.
As the Mets transition from the Wilpons to a new owner, hedge fund billionaire Steve Cohen, their sporting direction is expected to change. Without blowing everybody away and under the leadership of familiar face Sandy Alderson, they are expected to have more funds available to spend on the roster.
That said, Philadelphia Phillies’ catcher J.T. Realmuto will become a free agent after the World Series. It doesn’t take a whole lot to realize that he makes perfect sense for the Mets as a prime signing.
However, what would it take for Realmuto to come to New York? He is one of the premier catcher in the major leagues, one of the rare talents who are above average in both offense and defense. In the 2020 shortened season, he accumulated 1.7 fWAR. In his last full season, 2019, he had 5.7 wins above replacement according to Fangraphs.
He makes too much sense for the Mets
According to reports, Realmuto is said to be looking for at least $200 million in his free agency. It is fair to question whether the Mets will be involved, but it makes sense to make a run at him given his obvious talent and how much he would improve the team and the pitching staff.
According to MLB.com’s Todd Zolecki, Realmuto is looking for a massive deal that could approach $200 million. Here is what Zolecki had to say: “Realmuto is a lock to receive a one-year, $18.9 million qualifying offer, which must be made no later than five days following the final game of the World Series. Realmuto has 10 days to accept or reject the offer.”
“He will reject it. If he accepts it, he is no longer a free agent and is signed to a one-year deal with the Phillies. Realmuto is eyeing a record-shattering contract for a catcher, perhaps in the $200 million range. If he rejects the qualifying offer and signs elsewhere, the Phils will receive Draft pick compensation. It will be a small consolation prize, especially if they watch Miami’s Sixto Sánchez pitch against them for the next several years.”
Will Cohen want to spend such a high amount of dollars in his first season in charge of the Mets? We shall wait and see. We do know that he makes perfect sense for the win-now Queens franchise.