It’s hard to blame the Mets for not shedding too many tears after both Travis d’Arnaud and Kevin Plawecki went down with injuries. They are 11-1 for goodness sakes, so they can absorb losing a catcher or two.
But the shock of both injuries does leave the Mets in a bind. Without d’Arnaud and Plawecki, they are left with Jose Lobaton and Tomas Nido, both of whom are not great options with Lobaton providing good defense and little offense and Nido looking like a future prospect.
And being 12 games into the season surely doesn’t help. Most teams aren’t ready to deal even if there are some as Sandy Alderson said, “aren’t trying too hard to win.”
Yes, we are talking to you Derek Jeter and your Marlins have J.T. Realmuto on the roster, who has already requested a trade; is the last piece from the purge and can be a valuable addition to the Mets line.
Although a back injury put Realmuto on the shelf for this season, so far, he is expected back within the next week, so that’s not an issue.
And he can hit. With 16 homers and 65 RBI last season, he is one of the better offensive catchers in the league. However, those numbers came when he hit in a stacked lineup last year featuring Giancarlo Stanton, Christian Yelich, Dee Gordon and Miguel Ozuna.
Those guys are guy thanks to the Jeter fire sale and Realmuto is the winner of this twisted game of Survivor. Now, he let Jeter know he wants out, so it’s just a matter of time before Realmuto has a new home.
So why not the Mets? That’s what Alderson is thinking and a report in the NY Post says they have already contacted No. 2 to see if there’s a match.
Understand, even though he wants out, Jeter doesn’t have to trade his catcher, who is making just $2.9 million, which is cheap enough for the thrifty Marlins.
But if the Mets could offer a package with Brandon Nimmo as a centerpiece, along with Dominic Smith and a few other lower level prospects, it could pry the catcher loose.
It would definitely be an upgrade. This is a player who is under control until 2020, while helping the Mets win this season.
It’s interesting, because this hot start is almost making it necessary for the Mets to make a move like Realmuto.
It’s hard to believe that before Jackie Robinson Day, they are up six games on the Nationals, who is expected to be their biggest competition.
But a nice streak like this does that to you and 11-1 makes you get greedy.
Hopefully Alderson doesn’t pull the trigger too soon on this one.
About the Author
