Mets Million-Dollar Question: Is Trevor Bauer or J.T. Realmuto the bigger priority?
1) The case for J.T. Realmuto
The Mets received bottom level tier production out of their starting catching position that included both Wilson Ramos and Robinson Chirinos this season. Tomas Nido had the look of a breakout season before going down with Covid-19 and missing the remainder of the season, but he should be considered the favorite for the backup job next season.
There is no question the Mets need a significant upgrade at catcher both offensively as well as defensively next season, and they are in luck with one of the top catchers in the game hitting the open market in J.T. Realmuto. The 29-year old Realmuto has been long connected to the Mets since he was a member of the Miami Marlins but ultimately no deal ever came to fruition. The Mets now have the opportunity to sign Realmuto while not giving up any prospects or Major League talent to acquire him. Just straight cold hard cash this time around is all it will take to have Realmuto don an orange and blue jersey in 2021.
Realmuto’s offensive production would instantly lengthen an already deep Mets batting lineup but he would also provide the Mets with one of the best defensive catchers in baseball. The right-handed hitting catcher won both the Silver Slugger Award and Gold Glove Award last season in his first full season with the Philadelphia Phillies.
With the signing of Realmuto, Steve Cohen would be making his instant splash that many executives and analysts in baseball believe he is going to make this offseason, while also signaling a changing of the guard in the National League East. Not only would the Mets possess the most highly regarded catcher in the game but the organization would be weakening our division rivals in a power move that the Mets have not made in quite some time.
Realmuto’s longer sustained success in the league will certainly be taken into account this offseason when comparing him to Trevor Bauer. All in all, it’s the optimal feed two birds with one seed maneuver that the Mets should consider making this offseason.