The Mets’ busy offseason continued today with the news that the team has agreed with free agent catcher Wilson Ramos on a two-year, $19MM contract that contains a club option for the 2021 season. Here is some of the early reaction to the deal, and its ripple effect on the rest of the catching market…
- After speaking with Ramos and his camp during the Winter Meetings, the Mets came away “extremely impressed” by the catcher, according to SNY.tv’s Andy Martino (Twitter links). It also didn’t hurt that Ramos was seeking a lesser contract than Yasmani Grandal, who is looking for a four-year deal. Kevin Plawecki may now be the odd man out of New York’s catching mix, as Martino hears that the Mets are currently planning to use Travis d’Arnaud for the backup job behind Ramos, and Plawecki could now be a trade chip.
- The Mets were heavily involved in trade talks for J.T. Realmuto, though ultimately didn’t want to surrender “significant talent off the Major League roster” in a deal, Martino tweets. Names like Amed Rosario, Brandon Nimmo, and Michael Conforto had all been mentioned as possible targets for the Marlins, though Miami’s desire to land more than one of these players seems to have ultimately been the Mets’ breaking point in talks. Martino also mentions that the Mets, Marlins, and Padres had some talks about a three-team deal that would’ve involved both Realmuto and Noah Syndergaard, with those negotiations lasting “up until the end of winter meetings and perhaps beyond.”
- Joel Sherman of the New York Post likes the Ramos signing, calling it “the right move” for the Mets rather than trade young players for someone like Realmuto. The Mets can now keep Nimmo and company as potential trade chips for midseason additions, if such move are necessary. If the Mets don’t end up contending, Sherman points out that Ramos himself could potentially be dealt at the deadline, as his contract doesn’t represent a long-term hit for either the Mets or any possible trade suitor.
- According to Heyman, the Mets were Ramos’ first choice this winter. The Dodgers also had interest, though only on a one-year contract, Jorge Castillo of the L.A. Times tweets. The Rays and Phillies, Ramos’ most recent teams, didn’t strongly pursue a reunion, Yahoo Sports’ Jeff Passan reports. Philadelphia has youngster Jorge Alfaro, of course, while Tampa Bay made another addition behind the plate in acquiring Mike Zunino from the Mariners.
- Zunino’s presence hasn’t kept the Rays from being involved in the Realmuto market, however, as MLB.com’s Joe Frisaro writes (Twitter link) that Tampa and the Dodgers are two of the teams still in the hunt for Miami’s All-Star catcher. The Marlins continue to feel, however, that “they don’t have to do anything” in regards to a Realmuto trade, and could still end up keeping the catcher. “This week will be telling if a trade is made or not,” Frisaro writes.
Fourth. Not my comment…where the Mets will once again finish in 2019.
Clever
I could realistically see any of those four teams finish in any random order next year.
Agreed. I can easily make arguments for and against all 4 teams.
On paper the Nationals appear strongest, with the counter argument being that they just haven’t been as good on the field as they are on paper.
Of course, Phillies could sign Harper and Machado before this offseason is over.
i am a phillies fan. they wont sign either guy.
Harper to Dodgers, Machado to White Sox
My point was just that it’s a little early to start ranking these teams, because there will be more moves made, and I suspect the Phillies will be at the top of the list.
Hahaha, watch the phils sign one of bryce or manny guaranteed… mets fan here no way they stand pat also i like the andrew mc signing for the phils in that stadium mac is going to be a force.
Wow JD
Really going out on a limb with that prediction.
Not sure you read the whole thread carefully, or maybe you just felt like being a reactionary snarky bootface. JD was responding to the initial suggestion that the Mets would finish 4th, and it is totally defensible to counter that by saying that there is no clear favorite in the NL East at this point. All 4 teams have some good pitching and decent bats, so a lot will probably come down to luck and health, as usual.
JDGoat – I also agree. The NL East will be a total bloodbath and I don’t see any team running away with it or being “out of it” in 4th place. Things can change though, that is of today
Sweet – let’s skip the next 9 months and start the playoffs already.
Reaction: Woah Mets are actually spending!!
Almost as a shocker, he agreed to a third year club option. Feels like an underpay tbh. Great job Mets. How long was C a black hole? Feels like forever. Bonus: save prospects
From an overall value perspective, this was the best fit for the Mets. Grandal would have cost a QO pick and JT Realmuto was more overpriced than a suburban condominium in the 07’ housing boom.
Since Paul Lo Duca in 2007. Feels like much longer.
Yankees shopping at the discount barn… couldn’t pony up for Corbin so they took the retread Haap. Instead of Machado, they’ll probably sign Iglesias.
Can you please point out where in this post the Yankees are mentioned? Your comment seems off based and misplaced.
Given how often Yankees fans hop onto Mets-related threads just to troll, I have no problem with a bit of random unprompted Yankees-bashing.
He has had two knee surgeries. This is a risky signing. One year contracts are the best way to go with risky guys like this.
but when healthy (as he was all last year) he rakes – for a c
Nice to see all this from the Mets.
Just hope injury bug stays away.
Really like this! Mets now have 4 players that could hit .300 and hit 40 HR. That lineup looks lethal.
I really like Ramos but where are you coming from thinking he could hit 40 HRs. His highest total is 22 and that’s the only time in his whole career he’s hit more than 20.
Yeah, I don’t really even see one guy in that lineup that could hit 40. Conforto would definitely be the closest (along with a healthy Cespedes but I wouldn’t bet on that), but I’m not really seeing anyone else that would go for more than 20-25. They definitely have a few good hitters, but no one on that roster is hitting 40 dingers.
Who on this team could hit 40 homeruns this year?
Pretty sure Robinson Cano has done it before. Also Cespedes!
Cano’s Career high was 39. Interesting enough he has hit 30 or more only twice in his career (of course he has never been only about the long ball). Cespedes career high is 35 and he too has hit 30 or more in a season twice
Lol Cespedes!
He will be driving golf balls, not home runs.
There’s optimism, and then there’s blind ridiculousness. This is the latter.
Ramos is not hitting 4o dingers.
The only catcher in baseball right now capable of hitting 40 homers is Gary Sanchez
Solution: sign Chris Carter to play catcher. I heard he draws rave reviews at catcher and the outfield.
haha. Gary Sanchez = Catcher.
20 of those HR will come from DH.
Wrong Cubs got a catcher who could be closeif he gets over that season slump he has the ability
Oh brother. Here we go again.
And that is why they need to keep him and work on is defense he is special
The Mets have literally had 3 total instances their history of a player hitting 40 HR. I’d take the bet against this.
Beltran 41hr in 2006. Hundley 41hr in 1996. Piazza 40 in 1999.
ny Dreams
Conforto is the only player that has a chance to do that. I agree they have at least 4 guys who could hit .300 though.
Funniest troll ever.
Really….u gotta be kidding
Realmuto could still go to the Mets to play first. I don’t think anyone in that organization is sold on Dominic Smith
If Realmuto played first base he’d lose a ton of his value. He’s a great defender behind the plate, and he’s a really good hitter but he wouldn’t stand out compared to the better first basemen.
Abso-fricken-lutely…….As a catcher, JTR is a top 5 FA; as a 1B, kind of “meh”.
Modern managers respect a player’s desire to make as much as he can….few would demand JTR flip positions. OTOH, modern metrics show that 95 games/season is a catcher’s shelf life. So JTR catches his 95, plays 1B for about 40, takes the rest off. (Of course, in the AL, it’s different).
That’s what makes the Austin Barnes-es , Isiah Kiner Falifa-s and (YES!) Blake Swihart-s so valuable; basic utility guys that can catch. Extremely useful unless the rosters expand.
bob;
Did you get this part…….
“….Sherman points out that Ramos himself could potentially be dealt at the deadline…..”.
Has there been a trade or free agent signing this entire offseason in which “he can be traded at the deadline” wasn’t in the article or in the comment section?
lol
In this case who catches for the Mets if they trade Ramos at the deadline? Cano? deGrum on days he’s not pitching? Or do they trade Ramos for Puig and then Yasiel Catches?
Ya, you generally don’t spend 20M on a player you’re going to “flip” at the deadline…..
It’s a pretty big number for Ramos, who clogs the bases, doesn’t move well behind the plate (not that he ever did), and has always been over rated defensively. But he can hit, especially in his contract years. 2-year deal? I’d never do it.
OTOH he’s better than what they had. Brody’s doing some interesting things. Can you imagine if Poppa George was alive and the METS were controlling the tabloids in NY?
Manny would be a Yankee…Harper would be a Yankee….Stormy Daniels would be in the broadcast booth…..
Not enough homers
Pete Alonso
Realmuto is literally the best catcher in MLB over the last 4 years. He’s never ever playing 1B.
Last 4 years:
Posey .303/.375/.441, 5.8 defensive WAR;
JTR .280/.328/.443, 2.3 defensive WAR.
Until last year, Posey was the best catcher in the game.
And hopefully this next year too…
Who am I kidding
Or, they could go and get an actual first baseman instead of playing their best Catcher at first base…
The Mets aren’t going to trade everything they have to sign a pretty okay first base bat.
Lol no one is sold on Dom Smith, they have the the Top 1B prospect Peter Alonso who will be starting there.
As a Phillies fan, I hate these moves. Hence a very good job by the Mets. I honestly thought they should rebuild, but I was wrong.
Once again the shortstop GM in Florida has overplayed his hand
The Padres probably are still in on Realmuto, but it’ll take Tatis jr. So it won’t happen.
I don’t know why the Padres would invest any serious prospect capital on a guy who is controlled for only two years unless somehow they are sure they could extend him.
You mean like how they were sure they could extend Justin Upton and Freddy Galvis? XD XD XD
It might not take that anymore. The rumored prospect package from the Braves is centered around Austin Riley. Riley is a great prospect but not Tatis great.
Why would the Padres want to trade prospects for a guy who can be a FA in two years and they already have not one but two quality young controllable players at that position?
Except that jeter isn’t the GM. Other than that the marlins indeed suck with trades
Jeter is definitely pulling the strings on these moves, he at least signs off on them
Can you people come up with another phrase to use every once in a while, other than “overplayed his hand”. It’s like it is permanently etched in your mind as relating to Jeter. Regardless of anything, he is always overplaying his hand.
By not trading he still has control of Ethan’s best catcher in baseball if Molina is injured. Plus, he is sitting back waiting for some teams dreams of winning get demolished when their star catcher gets hurt. I say he still is holding all the cards and has the upper hand
I hate auto correct. Not Ethan. Try one of the best
That’s shortstop owner to you!
After the season starts Miami will get next to nothing for JTR ,then they will say we will get 1 draft pick for him. LOL
Mets aren’t done. . . Great move from an offense standpoint. Defense. He’ll catch 110 games……. Maybe play him at first and DH when they do…….
Angels completely missed out on this one. Desperately need offense from catcher and that price is way below projections.
Agree. I like grandal but not to keen on the halos losing a draft pick.
Ramos had the Mets as his preferred choice to sign with
Really? Gonna have to Google that. It does explain the contract being pretty team friendly.
He said in September he wants to catch the Mets pitchers
He must really like them. Usually some extra cash works.
Life’s a beach for Mets fans.
Beaches are where dirty diapers and used syringes wash up.
How long have you been waiting to use that one?
Why keep D’Arnaud as a backup who plays 40 games for 4-5 mil? I think its posturing cut or trade him before his deal becomes fully guaranteed, keep or trade plawecki or nido as backup. We have a real C now.
I think the idea is to give D’arnaugh one last chance to re-establish some value. He is a former elite prospect who has succeeded at times in the past at the major league level. Playing once or twice a week he can hopefully stay healthy, and if he hits he becomes a viable trade piece either midseason. No to mention you need some insurance for Ramos.
Oh goody!…….
About the 500th player this offseason that can be traded at the deadline.
lol
Why cut him? You need a part time catcher to back up Ramos. Him playing 40-50 games is probably exactly what the Mets need. And then there’s always what Jake brought up. Maybe he can reestablish value.
A part time catching making 3-5 million?
Dude, he’s already on your payroll. Cutting him doesn’t get you out of the financial obligations. All you can do is get the most out of him.
TdA’s contract is an arb contract — if they cut him now it’s as if he were non tendered. If they cut up to the 16th day of spring training they have to pay him 30 days of it, 17th to final day they pay 45 days of it. It’s a low cost option to see how spring training plays out.
haha…you may knowthemarket, but you don’t know MLB contract rules.
Plawecki is horrible. He can’t hit. His exit velocity has got to be 10mph less than league average. Looks like Tarzan and hits like Jane.
Totally the right move. Its slowly coming together on paper. I’d say they’ve improved since BVW took over. Go…. Mets?
I agree . BVW did a great job so far but he still have major question marks.
Need third baseman
Need center field
Need fifth starter
They actually have 2 3Bmen(Frazier and McNeil)
Lagares is in Center, but a better hitting OF us definitely needed
Vargas is the 5th pitcher, Lugo or Gsellman could take over, but signing another starter would certainly be nice.
What they really need is a lefty for the pen and/or another experienced bullpen arm
Ya I have to agree. The Mets are looking much better. Cano might be tough to deal with later but hey if he keeps hitting the way he does, maybe it’s not so bad. Also, his contract isn’t as bad as it was BEFORE his contract was divided between two teams so if the Mariners can trade him I’m sure the Mets can too.
Really I’m impressed with VW’S work. I think he took a difficult situation and got the most out of it. Even if everything falls apart I’ll remember that he was brought on with the restrictions that rebuilding was not an option.
He came on specifically because the Mets did not want to rebuild. He gets no pass for that if this all blows up. BVW never had any interest in taking on a rebuild.
Try and trade Darnaud before his next injury….Lol
Who would want him?
Time for Blake Swihart to become a NY Met.
The marlins will regret overvaluing JT. They won’t get what they think he is worth and will get fleeced like they did with yelich
The Mets were never a great fit. It wasn’t unreasonable for Marlins to want more than just Nimmo or Rosario, and it was unrealistic that the Mets would trade both.
For all posts above saying that Matilns lost a trade partner- by same token all of the teams in on Realmuto also have lost a plan B (or plan C).
I’d guess Marlins still are able to land a pretty impressive package.
People seem to think (rightfully so IMO) that the Marlins shouldn’t have traded Yelich for that package, yet at the same time they are now ragging on them for not accepting what they are being offered for JT. If they accept an offer below what they think he is worth, we’ll soon have comments about how they shouldn’t have traded him for that package.
You can’t have it both ways. I’d like to think that they learned from the Yelich trade and aren’t lowing their asking price this time
yeah but, when they had Yelich, Stanton, Ozuna, Gordon, Realmuto they could have made the playoffs
now if they dont trade realmuto they are wasting their opportunity because they will not contend
its better to get something rather than nothing and you’re not getting Albies/Bellinger/ Tatis Jr for him
They didn’t have the money or prospects they acquire the pitching they needed to make the playoffs.
Saying they could have made the playoffs with those guys, ignores the fact that they had those guys, and didn’t make the playoffs, period.
Yelich won MVP and Realmuo got better, you never know, but my point is if you dont trade JT you are wasting him
And Stanton won MVP the year before. But I agree that they need to trade JT.
There is plenty of time to trade JT. They all have all the rest of the offseason, the entire season, another offseason, another half season. I understand he’ll start losing value with the less time under control, but sometimes it pays off to wait
I love the Mets moves this offseason, all they need is 1 or 2 relievers and they’re set.
There’s three RP’s out there that I believe the Mets could get and get on the cheap. LHP Justin Wilson, LHP Tony Sipp & RHP Alex Wislon. If the Mets got bold and signed all three of them, they would UNDOUBTEDLY have the best bullpen in the NL.
Don’t overlook the Giants’ bullpen. I know I’m biased, but Smith, Moronta, Dyson, Watson, Ray Black, Melancon (I know he isn’t living up to the contract but he’s still decent” is really really good.
So who is in on Realmuto at this juncture?
I think he ends up in Houston.
Rumor has it they are in on Brantley and some other OF’s, which would make Tucker expendable.
Dodgers.
Sign Pollack to play CF and that lineup takes shape with Alonso and Frazier/McNeil hitting 7/8. I’ve seen worse.
Giving Pollack 50% of what he’s asking for will lead to disaster.
In addition to being an injury risk, his OBP history is sub-standard.
Here’s a news flash……
There is a shortage of decent CF’s in MLB today. Most teams are working around that. A lot of platoons of guys that can field but can’t hit; and teams that try to sneak in a corner OF as the Mets did at times with Nimmo and Conforto……if McNeil can run he may well get playing time there.
I look for more so-so SS’s and 2B’S that can throw, run, and hit some to be moved to CF.
Pollock would be a solid but risky addition. Honestly, I would prefer Adam Jones. Even though Jones has lost a step in CF, he’s incredibly durable, a clubhouse leader and continues to provide solid production. A .281 avg with 15 hrs is not bad at all and that’s what he did in 2018.
Jones has lost about 4-5 steps in CF and graded out poorly in a smaller OF in Baltimore. Nimmo/Conforto are both better choices in CF than Jones at this point. He’d be a fine 4th OF.
Buffalo is a great guy and handles pitchers really well. This part of his game won’t necessarily show up but he does his homework on opposing batters. Don’t expect more than 80-90 starts, his knees will catch up with him. 10 HRs and lots of singles; very few XBHs.
Why would you want to have an injury prone catcher backed up by an even more injury prone catcher?
if marlins will come back to earth they should trade JT for riley, wilson, and lower prospect to ATL, then ATL can extend and sign a reliver(one of Ottavino/Miller/Britton/Roberson?) to a long deal
this way braves play for the future as well
I’ll bet either the Astros or the Dodgers are who Realmuto ends up with
I could def see the Dodgers. I think a Realmuto and WIttgren package for Verdugo, Smith and White would be fair for both sides.
Smart move on the Mets part. Just lowered the value on Realmuto. Bottom line, marlins (Jeter)lose.. Again.
Not necessarily. If Marlins decide to hold onto Realmuto until the deadline, there will be a contending team willing to upgrade at catcher. There always is. This Marlin regime is not clueless like the last one and don’t seem willing to move valuable pieces for less value than what can we attained.
Waiting for the deadline is risky- Realmuto could get injured or could just have a bad year, and his value would decline significantly. If he stays healthy and performs, you could get a great return for him at the deadline, but you’re taking more of a chance than if you trade him in the offseason.
I’m a Braves fan so I hate to see the Mets get a good deal like this. If the Braves land JTR, they will have the better catcher but it certainly won’t be at anything like a discount.
I have learned by being a Mariner fan and watching the Angels, it really doesn’t matter if you do well in the off season. The only thing the matters is the regular season.
Is Ramos the top end of the FA market for the position? If so, it will be interesting to see how it effect the others as it’s relatively low. What does Lucroy get? 2/8? 1/5?
Grandal, but he wants 4 years and will cost a draft pick.
Chirinos got 1/5.75m. Will be interesting to see what happens
I think the Mets should trade Kevin Plawecki to the Angel’s for prospect Jose Suarez.
An amazing thing in this article is that, while signing Ramos, the Mets – who are loaded with players ending in “o” (Cano, Rosario, Nimmo, Conforto, Nido, Lugo…) – somehow managed to avoid bringing aboard any of the other catchers mentioned: Realmuto, Zunino, Alfaro.
Maybe we can just call the new guy Wilson Ramo?
Sergio Romo is still a possibility.
I think they should get Sano from the Twins (for Dominic Smith?). And Polanco from Pittsburgh (for Lagares?). And maybe a straight-up swap of Todd Frazier to philly for Maikel Franco.
Realmuto to HOU for Tucker, Josh James and Garrett Stubbs
or
Realmuto to LA for Verdugo, Smith, and White
Not too far off, actually – however the 3rd piece will be more of a lower level wild card:
Dodgers – guy like Edwin Uceta (15) over White
I don’t mind the 3rd piece being a wild card/down the road(hopefully) Stud SP. but the first two are excellent returns for JTR.
Now if the Mets can only stay healthy… should they upgrade 1B and CF?
Miguel Sano and Gregory Polanco.
In the past, the Marlins and Jays have talked about Realmuto. Marlins asked for a package of both Vlad Jr and Bichette
Like that is going to ever happen
This is true but it wasn’t for Realmuto. They were negotiating to receive Yelich, last year,and were told Vlad Jr is untouchable. Rightfully so.
Yelich would have been good too. I agree that Vlad Jr is untouchable
Don’t spend a lot of money or trade capital on a catcher. They are larger than average injury risks and talent drop off risks. Look at Lucroy, Russel Martin, and Posey. Look at the drop offs of Sanchez and Contreras last year. Get someone decent, young, and maybe after an off year (Zunino fits).
Zunino would be good in Citifield. Mets should get in touch with the Rays. This could be a Syndergaard option – though I’m not crazy about sending him away