March 27: The Mets have announced the signing.
March 25: The Mets have reportedly reached a minor-league agreement with free-agent catcher Rene Rivera, who recently opted out of a deal with the Giants. Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle first reported the Mets’ interest over the weekend (Twitter link), with Jon Heyman of MLB Network reporting today that the sides were in talks (via Twitter). Andy Martino of SNY reported that there was an agreement (Twitter links), with Joel Sherman of the New York Post noting it was a minor-league deal (via Twitter).
This’ll be the second stint with the Mets for Rivera, who also spent time with the club from 2016-17. The reunion comes as something of a surprise; this time last week, indications were that Devin Mesoraco had a strong chance of making the Mets’ roster behind Wilson Ramos. At one point, Mets skipper Mickey Callaway suggested that the Mets could even carry Ramos, Mesoraco and Travis d’Arnaud to open the season.
However, d’Arnaud is now slated to begin the season on the injured list, and Mesoraco’s status is up in the air; as Newsday’s Tim Healey reported this weekend, Mesoraco has decided not to report to Triple-A after being reassigned to minor league camp by the Mets. He’s still under contract, so they’ll need to either grant him his release or place him on the restricted list. With both Mesoraco and d’Arnaud abruptly out of the mix for an Opening Day roster spot, Rivera could leapfrog defensive-minded 24-year-old Tomas Nido as the favorite to serve as a backup to Ramos early in the season.
Rivera, 35, split the 2018 season between the Angels and Braves, hitting a combined .233/.275/.419 in 91 trips to the plate. Rivera routinely posts elite caught-stealing rates and is a perennially solid framer as well, which would make him a quality backup option for the Mets at least until d’Arnaud mends. Over the past five seasons, Rivera is a .225/.280/.372 hitter in 1183 plate appearances.
This could pay off big time. He calls a great game.
Guess he’s willing to go to Buffalo
Hopefully he gets on the plane to Syracuse as buffalo would be a problem. I like Mesoraco more but if is unwilling to play in the minors he is limiting his value. I’ve never ridden all the minor league buses but i can understand his point of view.
Wouldn’t you? Beats working for a living
Does it beat not working, his actual alternative?
Half expecting the Giants to release Posey and bring in Mesoraco now
No need to release Posey…they can get Swihart for him….if they add in some International Bonus Slots…..
Hahahaha brilliant! Pull the trigger
The Mets see him as an upgrade to Mesoraco?
defensively, he definitely is
Pitchers around the league love Rivera. He’s moved around a lot partly because he’s mostly been too poor with the bat to start, but also because he always has a market for his services.
well mes won’t report to AAA, so he’s not offering them much in value right now.
Would love to see Sandy Leon behind the plate for the Mets
He calls a great game and makes pitchers feel comfortable on the mound. Not afraid to force pitchers to pitch inside and knock batters on their butt
He’s atrocious at the plate.
Farhan Zaidi doesn’t care
If Rene signs, he’s going to get hurt.
That sounds like a threat! LOL
Catcher carousel all over the MLB at the moment!
I like the move. Rene was pretty much the personal catcher for N.Syndeergard with his time here and he calls a great game and has a little pop in his bat but the issue with him is he doesn’t hit enough. If he did he would have a lot more offers and we would of never traded him to begin with. Hopefully he finds his bat. Welcome back Rene!!
They didn’t trade him they waived him but point taken.
If Wilson Ramos isn’t behind the plate 135-140 games, the Mets are done anyway. They should put Mesoraco on the restricted list if he won’t report. He won’t take up a roster spot and they can sign Rivera.
How many guys catch 135 games?
Welcome back Rene, good to see you.
Tomas, we hardly knew ya’
Always loved Rene. Has some pop in his bat & will surprise you now & then. Could push Travis off the team at a big savings in salary. Travis’ days with Mets should be over sooner than later. Feel bad for Devin but that’s baseball business.
Welcome back Rene, all the best!
Let’s go Mets!