Mets Reportedly Won't Target Catcher at MLB Trade Deadline Despite Alvarez Demotion

After optioning struggling catcher Francisco Alvarez to the minors, the New York Mets have no plans to pursue a catcher ahead of the MLB trade deadline, per The Athletic’s Will Sammon.

The Mets are expected to roll with eight-year veteran Luis Torrens and rookie Hayden Senger behind the plate for the foreseeable future.

Torrens will step into the role of primary catcher for the Mets, while Senger remains on the roster following his promotion to the majors.

Alvarez, who is in his third full major-league season has struggled to find his form. Once the organization’s No. 1 prospect in 2022, Alvarez impressed as a rookie last year with 25 home runs. This season, however, the 23-year-old is hitting just .236 with three home runs, 11 RBIs and 38 strikeouts across 35 games, posting a .652 OPS.

The Mets officially demoted Alvarez following Saturday’s 11-4 win over the Philadelphia Phillies, where he went 2-for-5 with a home run that helped snap the club’s seven-game losing streak.

Torrens, an eight-year veteran, has played in 45 games this season, batting .232 with one homer, 13 RBIs and seven runs scored. Senger, meanwhile, made his big league debut earlier this season and has hit .179 in 28 at-bats over 13 games.

The Mets will look to close out their series against the Phillies on Sunday with the series tied 1-1. Both teams enter the rubber match knotted atop the National League East standings at 46-31.