The Mets enter the heart of the offseason with a roster that still feels like a construction zone in certain areas. President of Baseball Operations David Stearns has been methodically patient, refusing to overpay in a market that has been slow to develop, even as glaring needs remain in the rotation and the outfield.
We know that the Mets are one move away from creating an unstoppable outfield tandem if they decide to strike, and reports suggest the Mets are targeting Ranger Suarez and he could be their ultimate safety net on the mound. However, amidst all the anxiety about who is coming in, there is one critical position Stearns isn’t losing sleep over: catcher.
Francisco Alvarez Is Ready to Explode in 2026
While fans obsess over external additions, the biggest upgrade for the Mets might come from the organic growth of Francisco Alvarez. The young backstop’s 2025 campaign was a rollercoaster defined by injuries and a slow start, but the finish line painted a picture of a budding superstar. In just 76 games, he slashed .256/.339/.447 with 11 home runs and 32 RBIs, posting a robust 124 wRC+. Those numbers are solid for a catcher, but they barely scratch the surface of what he actually did when healthy.
After being recalled from Triple-A on July 21st, Alvarez looked like a legitimate middle-of-the-order force. Over his final 41 games, he tore the cover off the ball, hitting .276 with a .921 OPS and a staggering 157 wRC+. He launched nine homers in that span alone, proving that when his body is right, his bat is elite.
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The Automated Strike Zone Is a Blessing for Alvarez
One of the biggest knocks on Alvarez has been his defensive polish, particularly his framing and blocking. However, the baseball gods—or rather, the MLB competition committee—have handed him a massive gift for the 2026 season: the automated strike zone. With the league moving toward an automated system, the art of framing pitches is effectively dead, meaning Alvarez’s biggest weakness has been legislated out of existence.
This rule change allows him to focus entirely on managing the game and, more importantly, mashing baseballs. Alvarez already ranks among the best in the sport in average exit velocity, barrel rate, and hard-hit rate. If he can simply increase his contact rates slightly, there is no reason he won’t eclipse 20 home runs with ease next year. The Mets don’t need to spend millions finding a catcher; they just need to let their homegrown tank unleash his full offensive potential in a league that is now tailored perfectly to his skillset.
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