Sep 30, 2023; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez (4) reacts after hitting a two run home run against the Philadelphia Phillies during the second inning at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
The Mets have significantly larger fish to fry this offseason, but Francisco Alvarez has reportedly made it known that he wouldn’t mind working out a deal to keep him in Queens for the long haul.Â
A report from Newsday’s Tim Healey revealed that the 22-year-old is open to long-term contract extension talks, though it isn’t a pressing matter for either side to approach if the logistics don’t lend themselves to create such an opportunity this winter.Â
But Alvarez’s desire to talk about such a deal does offer new president of baseball operations David Stearns to sign one of the most promising young catchers in baseball to a team-friendly deal through his prime.Â
In his first full season in the pros, Alvarez posted a .721 OPS with 25 home runs and 63 RBI, though it was rife with inconsistencies that featured multiple weeks-long slumps. The flashes of an elite-level catcher, though, are already there. He hit the most home runs by a catcher under the age of 22 since Hall of Famer Johnny Bench hit 26 in 1969. No other catcher under 22 in the history of Major League Baseball has hit more than 20.
His defense still needs developing, but his framing ranked in MLB’s 95th percentile in 2023.Â
Considering his age, Stearns and the Mets should have no issue offering a deal of approximately eight years — even if it is to a player at the position that provides the most wear and tear. Such a deal would keep Alvarez in Queens through his prime and if he were to continue his upward trajectory toward superstardom, an even larger contract in terms of value (not necessarily years) could be waiting for him on the other side of it.Â
Given the MLB catcher’s market right now, Alvarez’s place is well below the top tier…
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