Heyman: New York Mets "very reluctant" to trade Luis Torrens

[Matthew Lenz]

 

The New York Mets enter the deadline firmly in sell mode, looking to move impending free agents rather than address any real on-field need. Their pitching staff, particularly a front-of-rotation arm, headlines what they have to offer, though the return may be limited by underwhelming performance down the stretch. Beyond that rental market, the Mets don’t have much high-end young talent to dangle, since their trade chips mostly come down to underperforming veterans or prospects who’ve taken a step back.

Buyers, such as the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees, are reportedly interested in improving their catching corps, and Luis Torrens may be of interest to those teams. However, the Mets are reportedly not expected to move one of the best defensive backstops in the game.

Jon Heyman of the NY Post is reporting that the New York Mets are "very reluctant" to trade the 30-year-old Torrens. While his defensive chops are well noted around the game, his production at the plate leaves something to be desired. Through 197 plate appearances, he is carrying a 74 wRC+ with just two home runs.

Do you agree with the Mets for holding onto Torrens despite his poor production at the plate? Join the conversation in the comments!

 

 

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[Edgy MD]

Acquired from the Yankees for cash.

The team certainly has a history of acquiring catchers about whom we were assured that the top-tier defense clearly offset the offensive shortcomings — Charlie O'Brien, Brian Schneider, James McCann.  And in most of these cases — the statistical results as well as eyeball experience quickly suggested that wasn't true.

And yet there seems to be a consensus that the tradeoff is working with Torrens.  Part of that may be that Luis has only occasionally been asked to be the first-stringer.  During those periods, his offense become harder to bear, but still, he seems like an asset, and now that he's the backup, he is certainly a frequently deployed one — like he's #1B, rather than #2 on the depth chart, and seemingly justifiably so.

The fear about getting too attached to such a figure is that the balance is delicate.  If the offense falls below a certain level, it cannot be carried anymore.

But even then, he becomes a #2 again, starting once a week or so and coming in for defense after a pinch-running assignment.  It's a good fallback position to have, and hopefully, the modest amount of usage he gets — whether as a 1B or a 2 — helps sustain his defense over the long haul.

And maybe, some of whatever makes his defense so good rubs off on the other catchers in the system.

Also, acquired from the Yankees for cash.

[metirish]

"Beloved backup backstop" 

 

STFU ,Jon 

[Benjamin Grimm]

I guess that is a bit hyperbolic.

[Cowtipper]

Of all the things to worry about, I don't think backup catcher is one of their primary concerns. Heyman's just looking for something to write about. 

[Johnny Lunchbucket]

Not like they can't finish 17.5 games back without him.

[Edgy MD]

6 minutes ago, Johnny Lunchbucket said:

Not like they can't finish 17.5 games back without him.

He's trying to be cynical, but beneath the surface, this post is bursting with love.

[MFS62]

Backup catcher is one of the positions for which there is a ready- made replacement in Syracuse. Chris Morel is a 27 year old journeyman catcher who has accumulated enough time in the majors to have hit about 75 homers (with a .220 average). Sounds like he could replace Torrens pretty easily. (except for maybe the beloved part)

Later

[Edgy MD]

There is also the best-defense-in-the-league part.

I'm not sure why Christopher Morel has entered the chat, as he has appeared professionally at every position except catcher and pitcher.

[smg58]

Everybody asks everybody about everybody the week before the deadline.  OK, nobody is expecting the Dodgers to be sellers, but you get the idea.  Torrens has a very legit glove, and that's enough to make other GMs ask about him.  From my perspective he'd be very dealable if I had more confidence in Alvarez staying healthy, but I'd still listen.  It's always possible that somebody will offer more than I think he's worth.

[Gwreck]

Exactly.  You’re always open to an over-pay deal.  Torrens is pretty valuable:  ranks 21st in MLB in WAR from catchers over the last 3 years.

Good backup catchers are hard to find and should be kept around if possible.

Good Mets backup catchers, all-time:

-Dyer

-Hodges

-Sasser

-Pratt

-Castro

-Torrens

That’s it.  That’s the entire list.

[Cowtipper]

I thought Vance Wilson was pretty solid. 

[Benjamin Grimm]

I remember liking Tomas Nido. I don't know if his stats back that up.

[metirish]

Jason Phillips was a beloved backup backstop ,perhaps the slowest beloved backup backstop ever for the Mets 

[Johnny Lunchbucket]

It might be difficult to find an exceptional backup catcher but isn't that the case at any position?

Alex Trevino got us a hall of famer in a trade.

 

[Cowtipper]

Honestly, one thing I always thought the Mets were pretty good at was picking backup catchers. I can only remember a couple in my history as a fan than didn't impress me, and they were Anthony Recker and Kevin Plawecki. 

Let's not forget how solid Brent Mayne was in his sole year as backup, and Rene Rivera had his moments, too. 

[Edgy MD]

1 hour ago, Johnny Lunchbucket said:

Alex Trevino got us a hall of famer in a trade.

Are you perhaps conflating the George Foster and Tom Seaver trades?

A backup catcher who got us a near (and perhaps someday actual) Hall of Famer in a trade is Ed Hearn.

[Johnny Lunchbucket]

well I must be.

 

Anyhoots, Omir Santos

[MFS62]

1 hour ago, Cowtipper said:

Honestly, one thing I always thought the Mets were pretty good at was picking backup catchers. I can only remember a couple in my history as a fan than didn't impress me, and they were Anthony Recker and Kevin Plawecki. 

Plawecki was picked in the first round of the draft.(sigh)

Later

[smg58]

Ed Hearn, who helped us win a championship and was then one of the biggest overpays in the history of the game.

[Gwreck]

Nido was not good.   Santos was really not good.  Phillips played more first than catcher and wasn’t good.  Trevino had an ok season in 1980 but was the primary catcher that year.   Ed Hearn helped the Mets win a championship in the sense that it’s best practice to have a backup catcher but he wasn’t good and didn’t play at all in the postseason.

There are plenty of memorable backup catchers (like Santos hitting that homer off Papelbon) but few actually good ones.