4 NY Mets trade destinations for Omar Narvaez if they decide to sell

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One of the weaker and maybe more pointless buys by the New York Mets in free agency this offseason was the addition of catcher Omar Narvaez. It was an addition that caught us all off guard. Hoping to find some veteran experience until Francisco Alvarez was ready to take over as the starting backstop, the Mets awarded him with a one-year deal and a player option for 2024.

Because Narvaez has missed so much time and performed poorly, the Mets should be looking to move him. He might be providing Alvarez with guidance behind the scenes, but that shouldn’t stop them from shopping him.

Catcher trades at the deadline can be tricky due to the relationship they must have with pitchers. It’s not an impossibility. And if these four teams are looking for a possible improvement at the catcher position in the starting lineup or on the bench, they should consider adding Narvaez.

1) NY Mets trade destination for Omar Narvaez: Cleveland Guardians

The catcher situation is pretty lousy this year for the Cleveland Guardians. They’ve already DFA’d Mike Zunino and have now called upon rookie Bo Naylor to be the guy behind the plate. The Guardians have gone from being a trade match with the Mets for a pitcher like Shane Bieber to someone who should be looking to buy from New York.

Narvaez is hardly the lone Mets player the Guardians could target. This offense-needy ball club should have interest in outfielders Mark Canha and Tommy Pham. Due to some injuries, could Carlos Carrasco even be someone for them?

Any sort of trade involving Narvaez or another Mets player with Cleveland probably means New York pays most, if not all, of the contract. A deal, in this case, only works if the Guardians are willing to give up something useful in the deal. The Mets can find purpose for Narvaez in Flushing even if he is nothing more than a backup to Alvarez.

2) NY Mets trade destination for Omar Narvaez: Miami Marlins

Some fans might not be willing to trade anyone to the Miami Marlins. The NL East rivals have been one of the league’s biggest surprises. They’re not clinging to a playoff spot. They have a firm grip without a blister in sight.

The catcher spot has been one of their weakest positions. Between Jacob Stallings and Nick Fortes, there isn’t much offense to be found. Both right-handed hitters could be a solid enough platoon partner for Narvaez in case the Marlins don’t want to fully flip the switch. Narvaez, after all, hasn’t exactly hit so well with the Mets to the point where he’s an automatic lock to take anyone’s job away.

It will be interesting to see how hard the Marlins tackle the trade deadline and what types of moves they make. Traditionally a lower payroll ball club, the position they’re in right now might have them thinking a bit more ambitiously.

The situation isn’t much different with them than Cleveland. A lot of teams don’t really mind having a poor-hitting catcher if he can play the position. The Marlins have some greater needs than to take a chance on a catcher who has hit in the past but isn’t doing it right now.

3) NY Mets trade destination for Omar Narvaez: San Diego Padres

Narvaez ending up on the San Diego Padres roster would be so 2023, especially if he goes on to have a couple of monster weeks only to fade away into the background. It’s what happened with Gary Sanchez. He didn’t even have a cup of coffee with the Mets this year. All he did was hear the barista call his name.

The Padres are in the exact same position as the Mets. High hopes could have them leaning toward buying rather than selling. Over the next few weeks, they’ll have a chance to separate themselves a little further away from where the Mets are. They benefit from playing in the National League West where, despite trailing three clubs, they can make a run. The Mets have been dead in the National League East for at least a month.

Between Sanchez and Austin Nola, the Padres shouldn’t feel too confident in their catcher situation. They’ve spent all year actively trying to get better. Nelson Cruz was designated for assignment recently even with superior numbers compared to Nola and Sanchez who’ve been a black hole in the Padres’ lineup all year.

Of all the Mets trades to make with the Padres this season, this might be one of the least exciting. Right now, it’s one of the more realistic.

4) NY Mets trade destination for Omar Narvaez: Cincinnati Reds

How much do the Cincinnati Reds believe in themselves? They’ve been carrying three catchers with Tyler Stephenson filling in as the DH on a regular basis. He’s the one guy hitting as Luke Maile and Curt Casali essentially allow Cincinnati to use a backstop in the designated hitter role.

All three of these catchers are right-handed hitters. In fact, the Reds are pretty right-handed heavy. Swapping one of those backups for a player like Narvaez gives the roster a little more balance. Narvaez would still fall behind Stephenson on the depth chart, but the Reds offense would have an opportunity to improve as long as Narvaez’s slump with the Mets this year doesn’t drag over with him to Ohio.

The Reds have been systematically reducing payroll over the last few years but were also willing to DFA Wil Myers earlier this year. Their greatest need is starting pitching so perhaps even pairing him with Mets trade candidate Carlos Carrasco is something to consider.

Again, this could turn into a deal where the Mets eat a part of the salary and get a better prospect in return. Whatever it is the Mets could receive in exchange for Narvaez wouldn’t be all that great anyway. The Reds, if they’re serious, would spend their best prospects on improving the rotation, not adding a catcher. It’s a consideration for them but only if they’ve seen enough from Maile or Casali. They could feel it’s more of a lateral move.

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