Mets’ Alvarez Out 6-8 Weeks with Hand Fracture
The Mets are facing a significant early-season challenge with Francisco Alvarez sidelined for up to two months with a fractured hamate bone in his left hand, manager Carlos Mendoza confirmed Sunday morning.
Alvarez, just 23, was poised to build on his promising development as New York’s everyday catcher. He’s shown impressive power at the position, blasting 25 homers two seasons ago before adding 11 more in an injury-shortened 2024 campaign.
The timing couldn’t be worse for a Mets team looking to compete in a loaded NL East. With Opening Day against Houston just weeks away on March 27, they’ll need to act quickly to address the position.
Luis Torrens is currently the only other catcher on the 40-man roster, which almost certainly means the front office is working the phones. The free agent market still offers a few veteran options – Yasmani Grandal, James McCann and Yan Gomes remain unsigned.
What makes this situation tricky is balancing immediate need against long-term planning. The Mets know Alvarez is their future behind the plate, so they’re likely hesitant to surrender significant assets for what amounts to a two-month rental.
That said, the Mets can’t afford to punt on April and May. Coming off an 89-73 season and competing against powerhouse division rivals in Atlanta and Philadelphia, a slow start could prove costly in the playoff race.
The way I see it, the front office has three options: promote from within and hope Torrens can handle everyday duties, sign one of those remaining free agents, or make a modest trade for a reliable backup from a rebuilding team.
Grandal might be the most intriguing free agent option. While his offensive production has declined, his pitch-framing ability and veteran presence could help steady the pitching staff during Alvarez’s absence.
All things considered, this is exactly the type of depth challenge that separates contenders from pretenders over a 162-game season. How the Mets navigate this first obstacle could set the tone for their 2024 campaign.
