Mets depth chart: 2 players moving up, 2 moving down

Francisco Alvarez is moving down the Mets depth chart

Francisco Alvarez isn’t going to lose his job as the starting catcher for the Mets. However, with his poor offensive production and less fantastic defense, handing an extra start over to Luis Torrens each week isn’t such a horrific idea if only to see how the extra rest can help out.

The second-half stats for Alvarez remain ugly. A poor .167/.211/.236 with a home run and triple as his lone extra base hits have been the outcome so far. He has driven in only 4 runs versus Torrens who has assisted with 6 in his more limited time on the field.

Alvarez would probably bat eighth or ninth on a more regular basis if the handedness of the Mets hitters allowed it. They aren’t built quite perfectly in this regard and if the team prefers to have a guy like Harrison Bader batting ninth as a “secondary leadoff hitter” then Alvarez might regularly bat seventh just to help break up the lefties.

His drop in the hypothetical depth chart is less realistic and more theoretical. He can help deepen the Mets lineup, but expectations for him to accomplish this are no longer there. Just like last season when he disappeared later in the season, one has to wonder if a little more rest or days as the DH is the future blueprint he needs to be his best.