The Mets could still be interested in procuring a bat this winter

The Mets still need to figure out how to better protect Pete Alonso and Francisco Lindor. Plus, Jeff McNeil won a golf tournament

What’s Up with the Mets? 🍎

• The Mets could still be interested in procuring a primary bat for the lineup (New York Post)

• Jeff McNeil was the winner of the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions celebrity golf event

• The Mets designated Diego Castillo for assignment, who was claimed by the Yankees

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Francisco Alvarez could be the Mets breakout star this season✍️

After getting a taste in the majors in 2022, Francisco Álvarez seized the starting catcher’s job last year and had a successful rookie campaign.

He hit .209/.284/.437 while blasting 25 home runs while driving in 63. He had a flare for the dramatic, and had a little bit of the clutch gene.

With two-outs and runners in scoring position his numbers jumped to .296/.345/.704 with an outstanding OPS of 1.049. He hit six home runs and had 29 RBIs in those situations last year.

Earlier in the offseason, Álvarez said he would be open to signing an extension with the team and there is certainly an argument to be made into giving him one, albeit a premature one. The Mets have not had stability behind the plate in quite awhile between injuries and underperformance. Álvarez proved he could handle a pitching staff and the pitchers often spoke highly of him when evaluating their performance.

Outside of Kodai Senga, the Mets’ pitching staff is going to go through some turnover the next few years and they will need someone trustworthy to guide the staff in the coming years. That player could be Álvarez, a player they can not build a pitching staff around as much as they can build a pitching and run prevention philosophy around as they attempt to build a pitching pipeline from the minor leagues.

Offensively, Álvarez is a legitimate power threat at just 22-years-old. His blasts rival Pete Alonso’s in how far they travel when he gets a hold of one. He is projected to hit .232/.316/.459 with a wRC+ of 112, per FanGraphs. He is also projected to hit another 25 home runs and drive in 66. As he gets more comfortable both behind the plate and in front of it he potentially could surpass those numbers, especially given his young age and his proven ability to make big adjustments at every level he’s played. He lengthens the lineup and offers the Mets another power bat they desperately need outside of Alonso, assuming he continues to trend upward.

The one area of concern with Álvarez is the free swinging and the strikeouts. He simply has to improve his strikeout rate and transition those strikeouts into getting on-base. Again, he’s a young catcher at times, certainly demonstrated the promise that has followed him through the minors.

It’s simply time for another growth spurt.

If he manages that the Mets will be in good shape and perhaps finally have the catching stability that has eluded them since Mike Piazza.

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Hot Stove 🔥

• According to GM Brian Cashman the Yankees are still looking to upgrade their ballclub for the 2024 season (MLB.com)

• Reliever John Brebbia signed a one year deal with the White Sox with an option for 2025 (Athletic)

• Reliever Robert Stephenson signed a three-year deal with the Angels (Athletic)

• The Cubs are still considered to be the frontrunners to sign free agent Cody Bellinger (MLB.com)

• Free agent reliever Ken Giles will be hosting a showcase for teams after struggling through injuries the last four years (Heyman)