3 Mets playing their way into next year's roster plans

2) Luis Torrens

Luis Torrens caught us all off guard. A seemingly temporary addition to the Mets roster when they acquired him from the New York Yankees for cash, he won the bulk of the playing time for about a week as he battled Tomas Nido to become Francisco Alvarez’s future backup. Stealing playing time away from Alvarez won’t happen, but Torrens has at least proven he might be a player the Mets should consider keeping around for next season as the second-stringer.

A 5 for 18 start to his Mets career including a 2-home run game helped Torrens win a more permanent role on the 2024 ball club. It’s tough to envision a scenario where the Mets dump him anytime soon. His arrival with the betterment of the pitching staff, particularly with the relievers refocusing, is no coincidence. His 4 base runners caught stealing in 6 attempts is a far cry from what they got from Omar Narvaez. For defensive purposes alone, it’s a major upgrade.

Something we shouldn’t overlook is Torrens’ ability to also handle other positions. Along with a few games at first base, Torrens found himself for a couple of innings at second base, third base, left field, and even two innings on the mound. Most teams have an emergency catcher. The Mets have an emergency infielder.

Ineligible for free agency until after the 2026 season, it’s an easy call for him to be the backup again next season.