10:10am: The Mets confirmed that Plawecki did indeed suffer a harline fracture in his left hand. Initial X-rays last night were negative, but a Friday morning MRI revealed the break (Twitter link via Newsday’s Tim Healey). He will not require surgery.
There’s been no timeline given on the injury, though SNY’s Steve Gelbs tweets that Plawecki could be out for as little as three weeks. That’d seem to be a surprisingly quick turnaround for a fracture in his catching hand, but if that timeline holds true, then the Mets may not feel much pressure to make a significant catching acquisition.
9:25am: In a staggering stroke of bad luck, the Mets look to have lost their top two catchers in a span of just two days. Mike Puma of the New York Post reports that just a day after Travis d’Arnaud was diagnosed with a partially torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow, Kevin Plawecki has been diagnosed with a fractured left hand after being hit by a pitch in last night’s game. Mets manager Mickey Callaway said after last night’s contest that initial X-rays on Plawecki’s hand were negative, though it seems that further testing may have revealed the reported fracture.
Puma adds that veteran Jose Lobaton will join Tomas Nido on the big league roster — he’ll require a 40-man move — though clearly the Mets will be on the lookout for additional options. Miguel Montero jumps to mind as one readily available backstop, as he was only just designated for assignment by the division-rival Nationals earlier this week. When looking at some remaining free agents a couple of weeks ago, I noted that Ryan Hanigan, Derek Norris, Carlos Ruiz and Geovany Soto were also without a contract at the time. (Chris Herrmann and Cameron Rupp, each also listed there, have since signed deals with the Mariners and Rangers.)
The Mets, to the surprise of many, are off to the best start of any team in baseball. Their 10-1 record gives them the best winning percentage of any club in the Majors, and their +24 run differential ranks fourth in the game. Given that excellent start to the season, it seems unlikely that the Mets will be content to merely rely on depth options in the event that Plawecki needs to miss a substantial period of time.
That said, there also aren’t going to be many clubs looking to part with a catcher at this time. J.T. Realmuto was available for much of the offseason, but he’d come with an extremely steep asking price and is currently on the DL with a lower back injury for the division-rival Marlins (though he has begun a minor league rehab assignment).
An intriguing and more plausible fit could be a match with the Red Sox, who opened the year with three catchers — Christian Vazquez, Sandy Leon and Blake Swihart — on the big league roster. Vazquez is the team’s long-term answer after signing an extension this offseason, and the club has previously gone with Leon as a backup option over Swihart, who is out of minor league options and has been relegated to a utility role. A deal for Swihart, once one of the game’s top prospects, would certainly be a more appealing option than piecing the catching corps together with minor league journeymen for the foreseeable future.
Likewise, the Brewers could soon find themselves with three catchers on the roster — two of whom are out of options. Manny Pina has emerged as the starter in Milwaukee over the past year, but backups Jett Bandy and Stephen Vogt are each out of minor league options. A spring shoulder injury for Vogt temporarily delayed an inevitable decision for the Brewers, but Vogt is rehabbing the shoulder and hoping to return before month’s end. It’s not clear that Bandy is a marked upgrade over any internal options the Mets have, but Vogt does have a fairly solid big league track record.
A smaller-scale move to pick up someone such as Rupp from the Rangers could make sense as well. The former Phillies backstop signed a minor league pact there just over a week ago and reported to Triple-A Round Rock, though perhaps the organization would allow him to pursue a big league opportunity elsewhere, or at least consider trading him for cash considerations. The Braves possess some depth in the form of recently outrighted veteran Chris Stewart, and they’ll likely have to remove Carlos Perez from the roster once Tyler Flowers is healthy. The D-backs, meanwhile, are carrying Alex Avila, Jeff Mathis and John Ryan Murphy, though Avila won’t be going anywhere after signing a two-year deal this winter. Colorado’s Tom Murphy is another speculative fit, as he’s been displaced on the big league roster by Chris Iannetta and Tony Wolters. And it might be worthwhile for the Mets to see if the cost-conscious Rays, off to a dreadful start, would part with impending free agent Wilson Ramos.
Lets see what NIdo has, unless you can get a Realmuto (when healthy) Grandal, Suzuki, or Gomes (with some retained salary, or contact swap) which I believe are all somewhat realistic options. Other than those guys, just let the kid play, othere options arent realistic or good enough.
We’re snakebitten, baby.
Has the injury actually been confirmed by anyone at all besides Puma?
Devin Mesoraco is available but his contact is an issue.
Where did you hear that?
He’s Johnny Superscout he hears everything
He made it up as do most of the people who comment here. The first comment in this thread about the availability of several catchers is another example.
redreporter.com/2017/12/19/16796076/cincinnati-red…
Shame on the guy saying and I quote “Yes, I love it, now we can get a better catcher”. This is something you shouldn’t say about your catcher or any player at all. Don’t wish harm on a player because you want someone better. The worst thing about the Mets catching is one or both will miss significant time. There’s plenty of catching depth still on the FA market and probably trade market.
A Yankees fan commenting on a Mets post?
A person with an actual conscience commenting on one without.
There’s no way that poster is older than 8 years old.
I doubt the Mets would have to twist the Nationals’ arm to get Matt Wieters as long as NYM will assume his entire remaining salary of around $10M.
Only the Nationals are paying that cash. The retreads hanging around looking for a job are better than he is at this stage.
Why would the Mets do that?
That will never happen.
Feed Wilpon
I think Lobaton and Nido are fine for the time being, no need to add anyone other than AAA depth like Derek Norris or something. We still don’t know just how long we’re going to be without our top 2 catchers. Also, the 40-man move is just moving David Wright to the 60-day DL, right?
Montero is available, if the Mets prioritize not throwing out baserunners and throwing teammates under the bus…
There are a few fill-ins available. I’ll bet they could pry Rupp away from Texas.
Rupp is their best option and his best option to save his career
Thor is going to become the NL version of Otthani. As he put on the chest protector, shin guards, helmet and mask he told writers, “it’s time to man up and I’m going to handle it. I can’t wait to try to throw people out.”
LOL. I was gonna write the exact thing. SMH!
Erik Kratz would be a good fit for the Mets. He’s stuck in Scranton. I know the Yankees and Mets don’t trade often, but I think this would be a low-cost, upside acquisition for the Mets. Erik has MLB experience in both leagues, can throw out runners, is noted for his positive framing, and hits the long ball.
Don’t hold your breath- going to happen.
You missed the “is 38 and yet barely has 1 full season with of PAs in the majors” part of that
Not to be a ball buster or nothing but a hairline fracture is well small isn’t it? Why can’t he just play through it?
Risk of further injury and threshold of pain are different. The problem with the Mets trading for an upgrade is what do they have to offer that a) they would and b) would entice a team like Boston to give up Leon or Swihart? Injuries happen and Swihart is again being developed to play multiple positions. When Pedroia returns he becomes more valuable than Holt (once Nunez becomes available to be the primary SS backup option).
If “T.C.” Was manager he would have been made to suck it up and play.
Nido is a great backstop and calls a great game, that’s his strength as a prospect. Montero makes the most sense here, without having to make a trade. Also, Dioner Navarro is still unsigned.
This is too bad… but d’Arnaud? Dude gets injured. That is what he does. Shouldn’t surprise anybody…. and I most certainly wouldn’t call it bad luck.
If Nido hits, even just a little, the Mets will be just fine.
I do not want to see Miguel Montero’s ugly face and personality in a Mets uniform.
I agree AmazinWaitin, but we will need some depth. I wonder f we can get a Rupp or someone of that caliber for a Cecchini or Becerra?
I honestly think Nido is potentially a much better catcher than D’arnuad or Plawecki.