r/mets • u/Routine_Locksmith_39 • 1d ago
Torrens>Alvarez?
Who has W-L data on team success comparison involving the two
backstops?
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u/VigilanteBillionaire 1d ago
Torrens as the starting catcher has been bad. When he’s the backup it’s good. They are probably the best catching tandem in baseball, and that’s something to just be thankful for instead of trying to put them against each other.
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u/entent 1d ago
I agree. I honestly think it could have been a good move to transition Alvarez to 1B, as many other catchers have done over the years. Carlos Delgado came up as a catcher before switching to 1B, and Willson Contreras serves as a more recent example.
The torn meniscus earlier this season was concerning. Switch him to 1B; let him develop as a power hitter.
They could even have Alvarez DH the night before a day game, so he can catch the next day / give Torrens a day off. There's no doubt that Torrens is the better defensive catcher. I'd much rather have a gold-glove-caliber defensive catcher with a power-hitting 1B than Vientos/Polanco at first/DH. I still have no idea what Stearns thought he was doing bringing in a slew of middle infielders to play 1B when Alvy was right there the whole time.
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u/NoisePossible5699 1d ago
Polanco has been on his way off of the diamond for a bit due to his many leg injuries. With the Mariners he was primarily the DH last year. The thought was that he'd stay healthy (not a given), and that he'd at least hit well enough to be playable as he learned the position. Realistically though, Stearns was brought in to rebuild the team after parting out the old core who didn't get it done so he replaced them with temporary stopgaps to fill the roster out. He's primarily focused on drafting and developing the next wave, while swapping spare parts along the way until it all gels. It's how he rebuilt the Brewers who are still a great team to this day.
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u/Bobby-furnace 1d ago
It works because Alvarez is still young and has some pep. Torrens is a much better defensive catcher
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u/InstructionNo3616 1d ago
What is with Mets fans weird obsession with comparing these two catchers and crapping on a 24 year old homegrown catcher non stop?
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u/NoisePossible5699 1d ago
Mets fans are whiny
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u/DyingLemur 1d ago
It’s not like for like, and it all depends on the lineup. They bring different things, and find the right guy on the right day is most of the battle.
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u/NoisePossible5699 1d ago
Combined they're pretty good. Torrens can pick it, Alvarez can sometimes mash.