Who’s gonna step up to the plate?
Where do the Mets turn now with Travis d’Arnaud and Kevin Plawecki out? Here are some possibilities behind the dish:
TOMAS NIDO
Nido is a 24-year-old rookie whom the Mets called up on Wednesday to fill d’Arnaud’s spot. The Puerto Rico native spent most of last season with Double-A Binghamton, hitting .232 with eight homers, 60 RBI and a .641 OPS in 102 games — not exactly eye-popping numbers, especially in the minors. In five games for Binghamton this season, Nido is 5-for-18 with two doubles. He went 3-for-10 last season for the Mets after rosters expanded in September.
JOSE LOBATON
Lobaton, an experienced backup, signed a minor-league deal with the Mets in December and began this season with TripleA Las Vegas. He went 7-for-21 with a homer in his first five games there. In four season with the Nationals, Lobaton, 33, regularly filled in for Wilson Ramos, playing at least 39 games each season. Lobaton is a plusdefender, but he has never hit consistently enough to earn a starting job in the majors. A career .218 hitter, Lobaton started at catcher and hit eighth Friday night against the Brewers at Citi Field.
J.T. REALMUTO
It’s no secret that the Marlins and new owner Derek Jeter are trying to move as many major-league pieces as possible to replenish their farm system and speed up their tanking/rebuild. The Mets, though, likely don’t have the necessary prospects in their thin farm system to compile a package worthy of Realmuto, who started this season on the disabled list and remains there with a back issue. The primary question for the Mets is this: Do they believe Plawecki is capable of being a full-time starting catcher once he returns from his injury? If yes, then they have no need to trade for Realmuto. If no, then a deal could be on the table.
MIGUEL MONTERO
The Nationals designated Montero for assignment on Wednesday, after starting catcher Matt Wieters returned from the disabled list. During Wieters’ absence, catching prospect Pedro Severino showcased his potential at the plate, hitting .348 in eight games. Montero is a .256 career hitter with 13 years of MLB experience. It seemed he had found a comfortable backup role with the Cubs in 2016 and 2017 — until he publicly criticized Jake Arrieta for allowing stolen bases and was traded to the Jays, where he hit .138 over the final 32 games.
DEVIN MESORACO
The Reds’ Mesoraco is making a lot of money on a very bad team and should be available. He’s on an expiring deal and is slated to earn $13 million this year. But he’s a career .233 hitter and has struggled to stay on the field in recent seasons, so he’s not really worth the money. When asked Friday about potentially adding payroll, GM Sandy Alderson said the Mets are “capable” of adding a catcher.
JONATHAN LUCROY
Lucroy’s name has been floated as a potential Mets target at various points over the last two seasons. He signed a one-year deal with the A’s this offseason, which makes him a viable target given Billy Beane’s willingness to deal any player at any time if the return is adequate. Lucroy is making $6.5 million this season, so it wouldn’t be a crippling payroll addition for the Mets.
JAMES MCCANN
For the Tigers last season, McCann hit .253 with 13 homers and 49 RBI to go along with his elite defensive skills behind the plate. He’s only 27, is making $2.375 million this season, and plays for a team that could be one of the worst in baseball. But McCann will come at a steep cost since he’s under team control through 2020. — Popper