The Old Trying to Catch Lightning in a Bottle Routine
The Mets made it official on Tuesday: they sign free agent catcher Wilson Ramos for two years at $19 million.
Prior to BVW's arrival, this signing would have been deemed just another Sandy Alderson reclamation project; another purchase in the discount isle. As such, the minimalist money approach would have reeked of the same old upholstery in ownership's wheelhouse.
There is a debate to be had as to whether this is business as usual. After all, BVW said upon accepting the general manager's position the club previously delved into too many "if" scenarios. Yet, Wilson Ramos represented one of the biggest "ifs" on the open market.
To his credit, BVW did not lollygag. He negotiated with Miami to a point, then swiftly veered with conviction in another direction. He has my attention ... ergo perception is everything.
Unfortunately (for me), JT Realmuto will not be donning a Mets uniform. Unable to strike a deal with Miami, the Mets general manager instead keeps his major league players and minor league prospects by spending money on a transient solution to fill their catching need. I would have been agreeable to packaging Brandon Nimmo or Amed Rosario along with a clutch of prospects in order to get this trade done, but only for Realmuto, as young well-rounded catchers of his ilk are hard to come by. Otherwise, a deal including either Michael Conforto or Noah Syndergaard for me were non starters.
When healthy and in the line-up, Wilson Ramos is clearly the more accomplished hitter and receiver over Travis d'Arnaud. The other available free agent option was Yasmani Grandal, whom has no fan in me, as I have no interest in a backstop whom three times led the league in passed balls, and rates below league average in caught stealing percentage. Travis d'Arnaud also once led the National League in passed balls, and throws out runners with a mere 21% career rate of success.
Last season, Ramos slashed .306/.358/.487, with 15 home runs and 70 RBI in just 382 at-bats. He also possesses a strong arm behind the plate demonstrated by his career 32% rate caught stealing, and reconfirmed by last year's 44% rate of success.
The outstanding issue is his availability. If recent history is any indication, Ramos will prove no more durable than Travis d'Arnaud. In 2009 while still in the minors, he broke a finger and pulled a hamstring. In 2012, he tore the ACL in his right knee. The following season, he suffered two more hamstring episodes. In 2014 Ramos was sidelined with a broken hand. In 2016, he again tore his ACL which kept him out of action through May of the following season. Last year, demonstrating wear and tear, he played in 111 games, making 96 starts at catcher.
Over the last four seasons, JT Realmuto has averaged 134 games per season; Yasmani Grandal 127 games; and Ramos just 108 games per season. Travis d'Arnaud, not including last season in which he only appeared in four games, from 2014-2017 averaged just 90 games per season.
Signing Wilson Ramos is no stopgap measure. He is a legitimate catcher. If he can avoid injury, he will serve the Mets pitching staff very well. His contract expires after two seasons, when JT Realmuto is due to become a free agent. Perhaps the Mets can revisit this situation then.
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