The New York Mets and catcher Tomas Nido recently agreed to a two-year contract worth $3.7 million, per Robert Murray of FanSided. The duration of this contract covers Nido’s remaining years of arbitration. He will be paid $1.6 million this upcoming year and then $2.1 million in 2024.
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Mets catcher Tomas Nido did have a strong finish to 2022:
With James McCann missing a lot of time last season and his struggles when on the field, Nido had an opportunity. He was by no means great, finishing with a .239 batting average, three home runs, 28 runs batted in, and a .600 OPS. Nido is however well-known for his good defense behind the plate and his ability to bunt, which were both on display in 2022. As a hitter, though, Nido did have an encouraging finish at the end of last year.
In the month of September, Nido racked up 17 hits in 14 games. Over the final month, he recorded a terrific .333 batting average, three home runs, nine runs batted in, and a whopping .947 OPS. His excellence at the plate got overlooked with Eduardo Escobar’s play at the time.
The hope has to be Nido, still only 28, can find a way to build on that strong showing he gave a glimpse of down the stretch last season. Currently, at catcher, the Mets have recently signed Omar Narvaez and top prospect, Francisco Alvarez. However, with Alvarez, there is no guarantee he starts the year with the Mets, and he is likely, not polished to play behind the plate just yet. As a result, Nido will have an opportunity to compete with Narvaez, who only hit .206 in 2022.
It is fair to expect more growth from Nido, following the promise shown down the stretch of 2022. With unknowns when it comes to Alvarez for 2023, at least at the start, Nido will have his chances to further prove himself. He already has the defense, bunting, and six years of experience, now, Nido has to be consistent for the Mets lineup.