As the MLB hot stove begins to heat up, it looks as if the Mets could be in the market for another catcher.
The team has expressed interest in veteran Robinson Chirinos, according to Ken Davidoff of the New York Post.
Wilson Ramos is still under contract for one more season with the Mets, and the club has an option to bring him back for the 2021 season if they so choose. Meanwhile, Tomas Nido, who served as the backup catcher for most of 2019, is under team control through the 2021 season.
Still, the Mets could upgrade their catching depth by adding a player like Chirinos. who has eight seasons at the big league level with the Rays, Rangers, and Astros. A career .234.,329/.439 hitter, Chirinos hit .238/.347/.443 in 114 games this past season for the Astros. In 14 playoff games for Houston, the 35-year-old hit three home runs while driving in four.
Davidoff also notes that the Mets have reached out to fellow veteran catcher Drew Butera, who was originally drafted by the Mets in the fifth round of the 2005 amateur draft.
In his first season with the Mets, Ramos his .288/.351/.416 with 14 home runs and 73 RBI. He came up with some clutch hits for the team in the second half, but his defense was shaky at times.