A brand new NY Mets roster battle no one asked for is now underway

Carlos Mendoza sent shockwaves through New York Mets media when he told reporters that Francisco Alvarez needs surgery for a fracture in his left hand and is out for 6-8 weeks. This is yet another blow to a team already plagued by injuries, and with Opening Day around the corner, the Mets need a backup catcher.

David Stearns was asked if the Mets would look externally for another catcher, and he said, "I think we feel good about the guys we have in camp". If Stearns believes there aren't better options elsewhere, who will emerge to fill that spot?

Who is in contention to be the backup catcher?

Jakson Reetz wasted no time introducing himself into this position battle after he blasted a first inning grand slam 361 feet off the left field foul pole on Sunday. Reetz is the only option with MLB experience, appearing in just six games for the San Francisco Giants in 2024 and two games for the Washington Nationals in 2021.

Although he has found little success in the majors, he has proven he can hit in Triple-A. Over his last 140 games in Triple-A, he posted a batting average of .251, an OPS of .883 with 23 home runs, and 91 RBIs. He is also a solid glove behind the plate, with a caught stealing rate of 36% last season.

Hayden Senger was a 24th-round draft pick by the Mets in 2018 and has never had a real chance to make a major leage roster. Just two months after getting drafted, the Mets signed 17-year-old Francisco Alvarez, and then in 2022, the Mets used the 11th overall pick to draft once-touted catching prospect Kevin Parada.

While he is a serviceable defender, the jury is still out on whether he can hit at a big league level. In 48 games for the Syracuse Mets, Senger posted a slash line of .252/.323/.401 with three home runs and 27 RBIs.

Chris Williams is having a good spring so far in 2025, earning a .769 OPS with a double and a home run in 13 at-bats. In the last two seasons in Triple-A for the Minnesota Twins, he batted .233 with an OPS of .823, hit 38 home runs, and batted in 116 runs.

The area that Williams needs to improve the most is his defense, allowing 70 stolen bases in his last 68 games catching. If his power can translate well to the MLB and he improves his defense, Williams is a great option until Alvarez returns.

The Mets find themselves starting their season not only without their catcher but also without a significant locker room presence. There is a reason the Mets were 14 games under .500 when Alvarez wasn’t in the lineup in 2024. The battle for backup catcher is now wide open, and while David Stearns is confident in the catching options already in camp, it's clear the decision will come down to who steps up in the remaining Spring Training games.