The New York Mets are experiencing uncertainty at the catcher position, largely due to the continued struggles of Francisco Alvarez. The team has found it difficult to rely on Alvarez for consistent performance on both offense and defense, leading to infrequent consecutive starts for him and backup catcher Luis Torrens.
Alvarez, who made his MLB debut with the Mets late in the 2022 season, has been hampered by prolonged slumps and injuries throughout his career. Most recently, he is in a significant offensive drought, batting just 5-for-51 with two doubles, four walks, and 29 strikeouts over his last 16 games. This downturn has coincided with the team's decision to not start either Alvarez or Torrens for more than two consecutive games since Aug. 11.
Despite Torrens' own inconsistent start to the season, he has posted a .753 OPS since May 10 and has earned an extension and was retained at the trade deadline. While the team has a clearer understanding of what Torrens offers, Alvarez's performance remains a question mark. His struggles are particularly evident against left-handed pitching, where he holds a .583 OPS this season, compared to .757 against right-handed pitchers. Overall, his strikeout rate has reached a career-high 30.6 percent.
In a related move, the Mets claimed right-handed pitcher Cameron Weston from the Baltimore Orioles and optioned him to Triple-A Syracuse. Weston, 26, has made one major league appearance. To make room on the 40-man roster, catcher Shawn Ross was designated for assignment after being acquired via waivers last month.
The team had hoped Alvarez would become a more consistent presence behind the plate and is expected to carry him into next season, though this was not the original plan. The difficulty in finding reliable catchers in the league means the Mets may continue with their current duo, despite the ongoing challenges.