Well, it’s official: the Mets’ spring training just took a sharp left turn into the land of Oh No with the news that Francisco Alvarez, the promising young catcher, has fractured his hamate bone in his left hand. This injury, which was confirmed after Alvarez felt a sharp pain during a swing (as if swinging a bat wasn't already hazardous enough), will keep him out for six to eight weeks, sidelining him for at least the first month of the regular season.
Now, for those of you wondering exactly what a hamate bone is, don’t feel bad—it sounds like something you’d hear in a sci-fi movie, not a sports injury. But in all seriousness, the hamate bone is a small, hook-shaped bone located in the wrist, part of the group of bones that form your hand. It’s often susceptible to injury in baseball players, particularly catchers, due to the stress of swinging a bat and catching pitches. Essentially, if you’ve ever smashed a plate or cracked open a coconut with your hand, you might have an idea of what it feels like. Not fun.
With Alvarez on the shelf, the Mets will need to get creative in their search for a replacement. Enter Luis Torrens, who is expected to take over as the team’s primary catcher. Torrens, who was acquired in a trade with the Yankees last season, showed a promising defensive ability, throwing out 13 of 15 base-stealers. Offensively, he had his moments too, providing a bit of pop with 15 RBIs in a limited role. Still, Torrens' bat hasn’t exactly been a world-beater, and now the Mets are left wondering if one of their internal options can step up or if they’ll need to take a dip into the free-agent pool.
Speaking of which, there are a few familiar names still floating around in the free-agent market. Yasmani Grandal is one of them. While Grandal isn’t exactly a spring chicken at 36, he brings solid defensive skills and pitch framing, something the Mets value deeply. Last season, he ranked in the top 10 in pitch framing, which is basically baseball’s version of being a magician behind the plate.
Then there's James McCann, the former Met who, well, let’s just say he didn’t exactly make an indelible mark in Queens. His offensive numbers were slightly better than Grandal’s last year, but his pitch-framing stats left something to be desired, ranking 46th out of all catchers. So, while McCann may be able to contribute with the bat, his ability to catch pitches may not be up to Mets' standards.
Mets President of Baseball Operations David Stearns is holding out hope that one of the team’s internal options will step up. After all, they’re already in camp, and with spring training winding down, there’s still time for someone to get hot.
One name to watch is Jakson Reetz, a journeyman who has spent most of his career in the minors. His major league experience is limited to just eight games, but he did hit his first big-league home run last season—so that’s something, right? He’s like the underdog in a feel-good movie, though it remains to be seen if the script calls for a dramatic walk-off moment.
That said, Reetz made an immediate statement in his first game action since the announcement of Francisco Álvarez’s injury, launching a grand slam. If he keeps making the most of his opportunities, the Mets just might have an unexpected contributor behind the plate.
Meanwhile, there's Chris Williams, who’s been tearing it up in the minors. He posted an .800 OPS last season in Triple-A, so maybe this is his big chance. But remember, Triple-A stats don’t always translate to big-league success—it's like going from playing Monopoly with your friends to gambling at a casino.
If Stearns and the Mets brass aren’t convinced by the internal options (which, fair enough, are a little unproven), they might want to make a call to another team. One name that might pop up on the trade radar is veteran catcher Christian Vázquez from the Minnesota Twins. Vázquez is entering the final year of his contract, and with the Twins in budget-conservation mode, he could be a trade chip. While Vázquez hasn’t been a slugger, he’s always been known for his defense, particularly his ability to frame pitches. The Mets might be able to get him for a reasonable price, though Minnesota would likely want to shed some salary, making this a delicate negotiation.
Vázquez could provide the Mets with a solid defensive upgrade, especially with his ability to block pitches and frame the strike zone. That’s important, especially if you’re going to trust a guy like Kodai Senga, who might need a catcher with the right skills to maximize his tricky pitches.
As spring training winds down, 16 catchers are currently out of options, including the aforementioned Christian Vázquez. Two of the more intriguing names in that group are Riley Adams and Sam Huff.
The Nationals’ catching situation appears set, with Keibert Ruiz locked in as the starter for the foreseeable future. However, the battle for the backup job between Adams and Drew Millas is worth watching. Millas offers more athleticism and defensive versatility, which could give him the edge, potentially making Adams a DFA candidate.
A similar situation is unfolding with the Giants, where Patrick Bailey and Tom Murphy are expected to break camp with the team. That could leave Huff on the outside looking in as a potential DFA candidate.
Meanwhile, the Atlanta Braves find themselves in a similar situation. With starting catcher Sean Murphy expected to miss 4-6 weeks due to a broken rib, Atlanta’s catching depth is suddenly being tested. The team has Drake Baldwin and Chadwick Tromp in camp, but Baldwin wasn’t necessarily expected to be a part of the Opening Day roster just yet. The original plan was for Tromp to back up Murphy, with Baldwin possibly making his debut later in the 2025 season as he continued his development. Now, reports suggest the Braves might not be entirely comfortable with their current options and could be looking to add one of the top remaining catchers on the market.
If the Mets are planning to explore external options, they better act fast—before their division rivals beat them to it.
The injury to Francisco Alvarez is a gut punch for the Mets, but it’s far from a death sentence. There are internal options like Luis Torrens and Jakson Reetz, but if the front office isn’t convinced, they’ll need to act fast before the Braves—or another team—swoop in and grab the best available catcher. Whether it’s through free agency, a trade, or rolling the dice with their current group, the Mets’ decision in the coming weeks could have a major impact on their early-season success.