Mets: Is J.T. Realmuto or Michael Conforto a bigger priority this offseason?

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Michael Conforto #30 of the New York Mets in action against the Baltimore Orioles at Citi Field on September 09, 2020 in New York City. New York Mets defeated the Baltimore Orioles 7-6. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Michael Conforto #30 of the New York Mets in action against the Baltimore Orioles at Citi Field on September 09, 2020 in New York City. New York Mets defeated the Baltimore Orioles 7-6. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 06: Michael Conforto #30 of the New York Mets slides into home plate safely for a run against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citi Field on September 06, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 06: Michael Conforto #30 of the New York Mets slides into home plate safely for a run against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citi Field on September 06, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images) /

The New York Mets will have a decision on their hands this winter in regards to whether J.T. Realmuto or Michael Conforto take priority in their first big spend of the offseason.

This upcoming offseason will be one of the most exciting offseasons in recent New York Mets fans’ memories with new owner Steve Cohen expected to take the reins of the team after garnering owner approval in November. The possibilities that await are endless, as we are all waiting on pins and needles to see how Cohen orchestrates the moves the Mets make this winter.

One discussion surrounding Mets fans that will be highly debatable leading up to this winter’s potential spending spree will be what deep pocket move should Steve Cohen and our General Manager make first. That first potential move that Steve Cohen will dig deep into his pockets for could include one of two National League East stars.

There is the popular idea among fans that the Mets should break the bank for upcoming free agent catcher J.T. Realmuto from the division rival Philadelphia Phillies. It’s a rightfully sound argument, as the Mets will not only have an opportunity to steal a critical piece from a division rival, but they will also be set up at the catching position for the future.

There is also the suggestion that the front office should find a way to lock up their homegrown star outfielder in Michael Conforto who will be entering his walk year next season. Conforto seems to be putting it all together this season and beginning to hit the prime of his career.

Each player is a star in this league in their own right, and while Realmuto is the catcher the Mets have long coveted, they can also ill afford to lose Michael Conforto after next season. Which move should be a bigger priority for the Mets front office? Let’s take a look at both possibilities.

PHILADELPHIA, PA – AUGUST 15: J.T. Realmuto #10 of the Philadelphia Phillies plays catcher during a game against the New York Mets at Citizens Bank Park on August 15, 2020 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Phillies won 6-2. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – AUGUST 15: J.T. Realmuto #10 of the Philadelphia Phillies plays catcher during a game against the New York Mets at Citizens Bank Park on August 15, 2020 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Phillies won 6-2. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images) /

Signing J.T. Realmuto as the highest-paid catcher in baseball

Since Steve Cohen had been announced as a candidate for the role of the New York Mets’ next owner, Mets fans have pointed to one potential free agent this offseason that the Mets should target with the potential money that the front office will have to spend. It’s no secret the Mets have been long coveting a catcher with both the offensive and defensive prowess that J.T. Realmuto possesses and there is no better fit this offseason than Realmuto.

We all know that Realmuto will want to be the highest-paid catcher in baseball, and rightfully so. Realmuto is only a two time Silver Slugger Award recipient, a Gold Glove winner, and a two-time All-Star. Therefore he won’t come cheap.

But the price is certainly worth the investment as Realmuto can lengthen this already deep Mets starting lineup, and significantly improve their defense which is an area that they have struggled behind the plate this season.

That also doesn’t go without saying that the Mets are going to have a glaring hole at catcher this offseason, as it is highly unlikely both Wilson Ramos and Robinson Chirinos return next season. The Mets will need an upgrade at the catching position next season, and there is no question that Realmuto provides them with the best catcher in all of baseball if he is signed to a deal this offseason.

The Mets will have to get in a bidding war with the Philadelphia Phillies this offseason to lock up Realmuto, and it’s something the Mets won’t be afraid to do with Steve Cohen now in town. This move not only upgrades the Mets catching position, but it also asserts a sense of dominance around the division that this is the beginning of a new era for the Mets.

I’d assume Realmuto’s asking price is going to be around $24-$25 million a season which would make him the highest-paid catcher in baseball. Certainly a feasible move for Cohen and company, especially with the amount of payroll the Mets will have available next offseason.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 07: Michael Conforto #30 of the New York Mets in action against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citi Field on September 07, 2020 in New York City. The Phillies defeated the Mets 9-8 in ten innings. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 07: Michael Conforto #30 of the New York Mets in action against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citi Field on September 07, 2020 in New York City. The Phillies defeated the Mets 9-8 in ten innings. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

Re-signing Michael Conforto to a long term deal

The New York Mets currently have a superstar in their own right in outfielder Michael Conforto who has broken out in a big way during the abbreviated 2020 season. While that is certainly the good news, the concerning news is Conforto will be approaching free agency next offseason with no deal yet in sight.

One reason a potential deal may not have been discussed between both parties yet could be very well due to the sale of the organization. This offseason, however, that should all be settled, and possibly a window for negotiation will arise.

We also can’t forget that Conforto is represented by hotshot agent Scott Boras and as many know around the game of baseball, Boras’ clients usually all hit the free-agent market and rarely work out extensions with their current teams. This is going to certainly be a challenging negotiation process for the Mets to lock up Conforto long term.

However, it can be argued that aside from pitcher Jacob deGrom, there may not be a more valuable player on the Mets current roster right now than Michael Conforto. Conforto’s new ability to crush left-handed pitching seems to have taken his offensive game to a whole other level, and we can’t deny the defense he has displayed, especially with the potential catch of the year he made, earlier this season.

If the Mets are a playoff team, there is no doubt Michael Conforto would be in the National League MVP discussion with his play this season. There simply haven’t been many other players having the type of season and impact that Conforto has had with the Mets this season.

The Mets will create a giant offensive and defensive void in the outfield with the loss of the former All-Star outfielder. Many fans and the press may question ownership if the Mets let their homegrown star walk next offseason. It’s certainly an uncomfortable position that Steve Cohen may not want to find himself in if a deal is unable to be reached.

It will be imperative that the Mets lock up Michael Conforto long term whether it is this offseason or next. Conforto is the type of player that big market teams do not let go, especially when the ballclub is currently in the middle of a window of opportunity to win now.

I don’t believe Boras will try to make Conforto the highest-paid outfielder in baseball but he certainly will want Conforto to make around top-five outfielder money. I could see an annual average value asking price of around $25-$28 million a year to lock Conforto up long term based on his current season and continued upside.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JULY 20: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) J.T. Realmuto #10 of the Philadelphia Phillies in action against the New York Yankees during a Summer Camp game at Yankee Stadium on July 20, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JULY 20: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) J.T. Realmuto #10 of the Philadelphia Phillies in action against the New York Yankees during a Summer Camp game at Yankee Stadium on July 20, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

Verdict: Signing free agent J.T. Realmuto should take priority this offseason.

At the end of the day, I believe the Mets signing J.T. Realmuto should be the first deep pocket move that Steve Cohen should make as an owner. The Mets will still have another season of control with Michael Conforto roaming the outfield, where on the opposite side of the coin they will have a glaring need behind the plate next season.

What better way to stick it to your division rivals who signed away Zack Wheeler this past offseason than to sign their prized catcher and assert dominance with a new owner. This is a rare type of move where the Mets can upgrade themselves both offensively and defensively at the same time, without also having to give up any assets. It’s a move that would simply require cold hard cash and I would not be surprised to see the front office pony up whatever it may take to outbid the Phillies.

Conforto may be a candidate for an extension after the crazy free agency period has ended and even possibly closer to Spring Training. We all know that Scott Boras is going to play hardball with the Mets when trying to get a deal done, but the Mets will have a bit of time on their side in regards to locking up Conforto long term. The Mets won’t have that kind of time on their side when trying to sign Realmuto this offseason.

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While both players are very close in importance to being two of the Mets top priorities this offseason, time is on Conforto’s side which allows us to believe Realmuto will be the Mets top priority this winter.

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