3 Spring Training observations fans should be concerned about

3) Slow offensive start of Mets catcher Omar Narvaez

The catcher position is the weakest in the Mets' lineup. After trading James McCann to the Baltimore Orioles, the Mets would start the year with Tomas Nido and Omar Narvaez sharing time at the position.

Narvaez comes to the Mets after an unproductive year in 2022 hitting for a .206 batting average with just 4 HR and 23 RBI in 84 games. However, one of the reasons why the Mets front office signed Narvaez is because of his ability to hit right-handers, his high pitching framing capacity in the hope that the pitching staff feels comfortable, and his willingness to teach Francisco Alvarez on the defensive end.

The offensive end has started to be tested this spring training collecting just one hit in over 12 at-bats with a horrible batting average under .100. Since Alvarez isn't ready to take over the catcher's position, due to his recovery from ankle surgery in the offseason and the need to fine-tune his defense, the Mets are relying on Narvaez to fill the bulk of time at catcher or at least versus right-handed pitching.

Let's hope that the level of competition that the World Baseball Classic will have is a good setting for Narvaez to get into an offensive rhythm. Especially when his country, Venezuela, has to play in the toughest group, having to face the Cy Young of the National League, Sandy Alcantara, in the first game.