3 Mets starters from 2022 who shouldn't be in the 2023 Opening Day lineup

2) NY Mets should improve the catcher spot over Tomas Nido and James McCann

How can the Mets possibly improve at catcher? Tomas Nido had probably a better year than expected in 2022. It wasn’t, however, anything close to what you want from a catcher on the offensive side of things. James McCann was even worse. It’d be great if they could dump him somewhere if only to clear out the roster spot and maybe a little payroll.

Where can the Mets turn as a replacement for either? The answer is so obvious and I apologize for insulting your intelligence. It’s Francisco Alvarez.

There are questions about how ready Alvarez will be by Opening Day to become the starting catcher. Buck Showalter barely used him behind the plate during his brief time with the MLB team in 2022. His defense is the only question there is. He can clearly hit even if there are some growing pains we’ll have to endure.

Something tells me there is a greater chance of Alvarez starting in Syracuse than behind the plate for the Mets in 2023. However, there is another option. What if Alvarez starts at DH over Vogelbach even with a righty on the mound?

The Mets waited long enough to start promoting the kids. Trade them or starting playing them as much as possible. Opening Day might not be when we see Alvarez take his first regular hacks for the Mets. Wouldn’t it be nice if it is?