Alvarez eyes extended contract
Mets catcher claimed starting role last season, hitting 25 home runs as a rookie
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Francisco Alvarez has the chance to be one of the cornerstone pieces for the Mets into the next decade. But according to the Mets catcher, conversations about a potential contract extension between himself and the Mets haven’t been broached.
“To be honest, my agent hasn’t told me anything, so I’m assuming that they haven’t had any types of conversations,” Alvarez said through interpreter Alan Suriel. “They haven’t approached me with any conversations, so as of right now, there’s nothing.”
The 22-year-old catcher was approached on Tuesday following a report that his representation and the Mets were close to an extension.
After appearing in five games in 2022, Alvarez grabbed a stranglehold on the Mets’ catching position last season, slashing .209/.284/.437 with 25 home runs with 63 RBI and 51 runs in 123 games. He joined
Hall of Famer Johnny Bench as the only two catchers to rip 25 home runs in their rookie season.
But for now, it appears, Alvarez is worrying about improving his play heading into his sophomore season.
“Right now, my only goals are to go out there to go play, to go what I need to do and the idea of a contract, that’s really in the hands of my agent, in the hands of our organization,” Alvarez said. “If they think that’s the best course of action, then that’s a conversation that they need to have. Right now, I’m just focused on winning games and really just working hard on doing my part for this team.”
Alvarez will be entering his second season of prearbitration following the 2024 season. He was signed to a $2.7 million deal as a teenager out of Venezuela in the summer of 2018.
After three seasons in the minor leagues and a year away due to COVID, Alvarez rose into the top-10 in MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 prospect rankings and spent time in the top spot during the 2022 season.