4 trade destinations for Omar Narvaez if the Mets decide to sell

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.