John Harper, SNY.tv | Twitter | Why is it that the more Brodie Van Wagenen insists Travis d'Arnaud could still be a big part of the Mets' catching solution, the more I think of Bubba Crosby.

For the most part, Van Wagenen has made a good early impression in his transition from agent to the Mets' front office, and falling into GM-speak is to be expected, but one thing fans don't want to hear is that all is well on the catching front.

Yet the new GM has spoken excitedly of d'Arnaud's potential, even coming off Tommy John surgery, as if the last five seasons hadn't already happened...

Danny Abriano, SNY.tv | Twitter | Getting an upgrade at catcher should be one of the main goals for the Mets this offseason, as new GM Brodie Van Wagenen looks to add to what he believes is a strong core -- with the aim being to win now.

Kevin Plawecki hit .210/.315/.370 with seven homers in 79 games in 2018 while playing average defense. That .370 slugging percentage put him in the middle of the pack for all catchers. But while he may still have some room to grow, Plawecki profiles better as a backup, and will likely be in that role in 2019 with the team potentially non-tendering Travis d'Arnaud, who is recovering from Tommy John surgery.

The Mets don't have any answers at catcher in the upper levels of the minors, so -- if Plawecki isn't the starter -- they'll need to go outside the organization for their 2019 everyday catcher...

Danny Abriano, SNY.tv | Twitter | Getting an upgrade at catcher should be one of the main goals for the Mets this offseason, as new GM Brodie Van Wagenen looks to add to what he believes is a strong core -- with the aim being to win now.

Kevin Plawecki hit .210/.315/.370 with seven homers in 79 games in 2018 while playing average defense. That .370 slugging percentage put him in the middle of the pack for all catchers. But while he may still have some room to grow, Plawecki profiles better as a backup, and will likely be in that role in 2019 with the team potentially non-tendering Travis d'Arnaud, who is recovering from Tommy John surgery.

The Mets don't have any answers at catcher in the upper levels of the minors, so -- if Plawecki isn't the starter -- they'll need to go outside the organization for their 2019 everyday catcher...

Mets C Travis D'Arnaud had Tommy John surgery this past April, which means the starting catcher job in 2019 is now wide open.

D'Arnaud, who will be 30 years next February, is expected to be out through the first few months of next season. He's also eligible for arbitration this winter and could end up earning as much as $4 million next season, after which he can be a free agent for the first time in his career.

My hunch is the Mets will cut d'Arnaud loose and use the saved money to hopefully help in acquiring a more -productive, proven, everyday starting catcher. Even if cut, I expect d'Arnaud will sign a lesser deal to remain with the Mets, with whom he can continue his rehab with trainers that know in St. Lucie.

Mets RHP Zack Wheeler and C Kevin Plawecki received CT scans before the team flew back to New York, and luckily, they both came back negative, reports Mike Puma of the New York Post.

Wheeler, who was hit by a line drive during Wednesday night's win over the Dodgers, underwent X-rays, which came back clean. Plawecki was hit by a pitch in the eighth inning, which forced him out of the game. 

Plawecki, who missed time earlier in the season with a hand injury, is hitting .237 with five home runs and 25 RBI in 194 at-bats this season for the Mets. 

In late 2014, early 2015, Mets C Kevin Plawecki was widely considered the second-best catching prospect in baseball, according to more or less every every published top prospect list.

Three and a half years later, after years of being labeled only a backup catcher, he's starting to show that maybe, possibly, he can be counted on as every day catcher for the Mets.

Prior to his first call-up during the summer of 2015, Plawecki was often labeled by scouts as an "offensive catcher," mostly due to his average defensive skills, short, simple swing and impressive contact rate...

Amed Rosario, Austin Jackson, and Kevin Plawecki each drove in runs to back Zack Wheeler's strong outing on Saturday night as the Mets shut out the Braves, 3-0

For a full box score of the game, click here.

Things you should know about tonight's game...

1) Zack Wheeler pitched seven scoreless innings struck out nine batters. The Braves mustered only three hits against Wheeler, who struck out nine batters and walked one. Freddie Freeman had a pair of hits -- including the Braves' first hit of the game in the fourth inning -- and Tyler Flowers had a single in the fifth inning, but the Braves otherwise could not get anything going against Wheeler.

Mets C Kevin Plawecki crushes a game-tying three-run home run in the bottom of the eighth off Dodgers RHP Erik Goeddel.

Danny Abriano, SNY.tv | Twitter | The MLB Draft is Monday night, with the Mets holding the No. 6 pick and connected to a pair of college third basemen. Before they make their selection, let's take a look back at the Mets' first round picks during the Sandy Alderson era...

2011, No. 13: Brandon Nimmo, OF, Cheyenne East High School (Cheyenne, Wyoming)

With his first pick as Mets GM, Alderson selected Nimmo -- who did not play high school baseball since Wyoming was one of three states without it. Instead, he played American Legion ball. This selection was bashed by some soon after and in the years following, and it seems that bashing was way off. Nimmo, 25, is hitting .276/.421/.559 with seven HR this season while establishing himself as an offensive catalyst... 

Mets C Kevin Plawecki will find himself in largely uncharted territory on Saturday night against the Cubs: grabbing a first base glove instead of putting on his catching gear.

Plawecki started two games at first base in 2017. The other 153 games he's started during his career have been at catcher. He also started 22 games at first base in the minors.

"I view myself as a catcher and I think I'm pretty damn good at it, but at the same time I have fun at first base too," Plawecki said...

Seeking more punch against left-handed starting pitchers, righty-hitting Kevin Plawecki will make his first start of the season at first base when the Mets face Cubs left-hander Mike Montgomery on Saturday night, manager Mickey Callaway said on Friday.

Plawecki started two games at first base in 2017. The other 153 games he's started during his career have been at catcher.

The Mets' decision to call up catcher Jose Lobaton Friday night (giving them three catchers on the 25-man roster) was so they could use Plawecki at first base.

After a slew of injurires, the Mets have recalled C Kevin Plawecki, RHP Hansel Robles, and INF Phillip Evans ahead of their doubleheader against the Braves on Monday. 

Plawecki, who has been out since April 11, returns to the Mets after rehabbing the hairline fracture in his right hand. He sustained the injury after getting hit during an at-bat. He recently caught nine innings for Triple-A Las Vegas on Saturday, and belted a two-run homer on Wednesday night. 

Tomas Nido was sent down to make room for Plawecki...

Mets C Kevin Plawecki, RHP Gerson Bautista, and RHP Hansel Robles will join the Mets in Atlanta for potential activation.

Plawecki, who has been sidelined since April 11, has been playing in rehab games as he works his way back from a hairline fracture in his left hand.

He caught nine innings for Triple-A Las Vegas on Saturday and hit a two-run homer on Wednesday night. His grip strength improved earlier in the month and he started hitting shortly thereafter. 

Kevin Plawecki started at catcher and went 1-for-3 while catching seven innings Thursday night during his second rehab game with Triple-A Las Vegas.

Plawecki hit a two-run homer Wednesday night as he began his rehab assignment. 

He has been out since April 11 due to a hairline fracture in his left hand. Grip strength in Plawecki's left hand doubled earlier this month, and he began a hitting progression shortly after.

Kevin Plawecki started at catcher and went 1-for-3 with a two-run homer Wednesday night as he begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Las Vegas. 

Plawecki has been out since April 11 due to a hairline fracture in his left hand. Grip strength in Plawecki's left hand doubled earlier this month, and he began a hitting progression shortly after.

Without Plawecki and Travis d'Arnaud (who is out for the season due to Tommy John surgery), the Mets have been using a combination of Devin Mesoraco and Tomas Nido behind the plate recently. 

Mets C Kevin Plawecki will join Triple-A Las Vegas Tuesday and begin a rehab assignment on Wednesday. Plawecki has been out since April 11 due to a hairline fracture in his left hand.

Grip strength in Plawecki's left hand doubled earlier this month, and he began a hitting progression shortly after.

Without Plawecki and Travis d'Arnaud (who is out for the season due to Tommy John surgery), the Mets have been using a combination of Devin Mesoraco and Tomas Nido behind the plate recently. ..

The Mets outrighted catcher Jose Lobaton to Triple-A Las Vegas, two days after designating him for assignment, according to MetsMerized's Jacob Resnick.

Lobaton hit .152 with no home runs and three RBIs with the Mets, being replaced on the active roster by Tomas Nido's promotion to the majors and New York's acquisition of Devin Mesoraco in the Matt Harvey trade earlier this month.

Doug Williams and Andy Martino are back for another episode of Shea Anything, where they take their first real look at Mickey Callaway's job performance managing the Mets. They also discuss the Matt Harvey trade to Cincinnati and all the twists and turns that led to the deal.

Devin Mesoraco -- the man who the Mets received in the trade -- is also a topic of conversation as the guys take a look at the catching position and how it'll change once Kevin Plawecki returns from injury. And, finally, Dominic Smith is called up to the big leagues, but is it just for a few games? The guys discuss that as well, and why Dom may not be the type of player the organization really wants.]

Click below to listen...

Mets C Kevin Plawecki is heading to Florida to ramp up his rehab and hopes to begin a rehab assignment in about a week, he told reporters on Friday.

Grip strength in Plawecki's left hand doubled earlier this week and he began a hitting progression on Wednesday.

Plawecki has been out since April 11 due to a hairline fracture in his left hand, and Mets GM Sandy Alderson said last week that once Plawecki showed improvement with his grip strength that his return could happen "very rapidly."

Grip strength in Kevin Plawecki's left hand has doubled over the last few days and he will start a hitting progression on Wednesday.

Plawecki, who played catch for the first time on Tuesday, told reporters the news is "a nice change of pace."

Plawecki has been out since April 11 due to a hairline fracture in his left hand, and Mets GM Sandy Alderson said last week that once Plawecki showed improvement with his grip strength that his return could happen "very rapidly."

Mickey Callaway is doing the right thing for the Mets, it just doesn't feel like it right now because they're losing more than they're winning.

The Mets are 3-9 since starting the season 15-6. Yet, team insiders say Callaway is saying, behaving and doing the same things with his players in May that he was doing during all of April.

Regardless of wins, losses, streaks, or struggles, he has continued to press a team-first mindset, which most recently was on display when the organization DFA'd Matt Harvey and skipped Jacob deGrom in the rotation...

The Mets need better catchers behind the plate than rookie Tomas Nido and veteran Jose Lobaton, who are hitting a combined .150. 

Lobaton is a useful second-string catcher. He should not be an everyday player or even a platoon guy. And, while Nido has the tools and talent to eventually be an everyday guy, he's too young and inexperienced to be charged with leading Mickey Callaway's pitching staff.

For instance, Noah Syndergaard (2-1, 3.09 ERA) struck out five batters, allowed two runs, six hits and four walks during his six innings Sunday against the Rockies. In his view, it was a "mediocre start," which is also how he categorized his previous three starts, during which he has a 3.20 ERA, is winless and the Mets are 1-3...

Mets GM Sandy Alderson said six days ago that Kevin Plawecki was at least another week away from returning from a broken hand that has kept him out since April 11. Since then, there have been no new updates on Plawecki, who has been throwing but not catching or hitting as he works his way back. 

"The grip strength hasn't improved to this point," Alderson said. "There's still a little pain in the hand." Alderson noted that once Plawecki shows improvement on the grip strength, his return could happen "very rapidly."

Without Plawecki and Travis d'Arnaud (who is out for the season due to Tommy John surgery), the Mets have been using a combination of rookie Tomas Nido and veteran Jose Lobaton behind the plate...

Mets GM Sandy Alderson said Tomas Nido and Jose Lobaton "haven't been contributing much on the offensive side" while being good defensively, and that he's open to improving the catching situation with an external acquisition.

"The situation with the catching, you can go out and look for a significant improvement, or you can look for an incremental improvement," Alderson said, noting that he has to weigh whether an incremental improvement would be worth it due to the "lack of familiarity" a new catcher will have with the pitching staff. Alderson added that the team has "looked at a significant improvement, and we just don't think that's available."

Matthew Cerrone (Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Contact): I've seen reports indicating the Mets are not talking to teams about trading for a catcher, and I think that's true. That said, I have no doubt they've been in contact with free-agent C Miguel Montero, who was designated for assignment by the Nationals and declared a free agent last month...

Mets C Kevin Plawecki (broken left hand) is expected to be out at least another week, GM Sandy Alderson said on Tuesday.

Plawecki has been out since April 11, and the initial expectation was that he would miss three-to-four weeks, but Alderson said Tuesday that the absence would be "at least" four weeks.

"The grip strength hasn't improved to this point," Alderson said. "There's still a little pain in the hand."

Mets catcher Kevin Plawecki has begun throwing again after breaking his non-throwing left hand when he was hit by a pitch 2 1/2 weeks ago in Miami, according to The Record's Matt Ehalt. Ehalt also reported Plawecki has yet to catch yet during his rehab process.

After the injury, Plawecki said he expected  to return quickly.

The injury was initially viewed as short-term, with Plawecki expected to return in as little as two-to-three weeks, according to SNY's Steve Gelbs.

The Mets had given a timeframe of three-to-four weeks, though Plawecki said that three weeks would be on the longer end of what he thought the rehab period would be.

The Mets are 'kicking the tires' on trading for a catcher but aren't having much luck, according to Mike Puma of NY Post.

With Travis d'Arnaud (partially torn UCL) likely out for the season and Kevin Plawecki (fractured hand) out for a few weeks, the Mets have gone from what they hoped would be an effective platoon behind the plate to a crisis. Currently, the Mets have Tomas Nido and Jose Lobaton as their catching options. 

According to Matt Ehalt of The Record, the team has made some calls but they are not willing to overpay. A popular name fans hope the Mets will turn to is Marlins C JT Realmuto, but Ehalt also notes that there is 'some hesitation as to whether Realmuto is actually available.'

The Mets reportedly have not reached out to the Boston Red Sox or Tampa Bay Rays regarding a catcher after their two starters were placed on the disabled list last week, according to the New York Daily News' Kristie Ackert.

New York has gone with a combination of Tomas Nido and Jose Lobaton after it placed Travis d'Arnaud and Kevin Plawecki on the DL with, respectively, a partially torn UCL and a hairline fracture in Plawecki's left hand.

The Mets made repeated inquiries with the Marlins this offseason about trading for catcher J.T. Realmuto, and will "at some point try to revisit the Realmuto situation," Ken Rosenthal said Monday on Fox Sports. 

Mike Puma of the NY Post reported last week that the Mets had expressed interest in Realmuto, though he didn't specify when they reached out.

Mets C Kevin Plawecki suffered a broken left hand when he was hit by a pitch during Wednesday night's game against the Marlins in Miami, and expects to return quickly.

The injury is viewed as short-term, with Plawecki expected to return in as little as two-to-three weeks, according to SNY's Gelbs.

The Mets had given a timeframe of three-to-four weeks, though Plawecki said Friday that three weeks would be on the longer end of what he thought it would be...

The Mets are comfortable at catcher for now, but that could change relatively quickly, GM Sandy Alderson said Friday at Citi Field.

"I think we're comfortable for the very short-term," Alderson said. "We'll see how things go." But the Mets will monitor and be aware of the trade market and their current comfort level "certainly could change"

With Travis d'Arnaud likely done for the season due to Tommy John surgery, and Kevin Plawecki expected to miss three-to-four weeks due to a broken left hand, the Mets have turned to Jose Lobaton and Tomas Nido.

Mets C Travis d'Arnaud will have Tommy John surgery next week to repair the torn UCL in his right elbow, it was announced Friday. The surgery will almost certainly end his season. Along with d'Arnaud, the Mets are without C Kevin Plawecki, who is expected to miss two-to-three weeks due to a hairline fracture to his left hand. 

To replace d'Arnaud and Plawecki on the roster, the Mets have called up Double-A Binghamton catcher Tomas Nido and Triple-A Las Vegas catcher Jose Lobaton. D'Arnaud was transferred to the 60-day DL to make room for Lobaton on the 40-man roster.

Michelle Ioannou, MetsBlog | Twitter | Well this just sucks. Is it possible for the Mets to go one season without a player needing Tommy John surgery? It doesn't feel like it is. Yes, the recovery from TJS is not as bad for a position player as it is for a pitcher, but still...

The Mets have spoken to the Marlins about trading for catcher J.T. Realmuto, reports Mike Puma of the NY Post. Realmuto, who has not yet played this season due to a back injury, requested a trade prior to the season amidst the Marlins' recent firesale. However, the Marlins are under no obligation to obey that demand. 

The 27-year-old Realmuto will earn $2.9 million this season, and is arbitration-eligible after this season and next -- before being eligible for free agency after the 2020 season.

Danny Abriano, SNY.tv | Twitter | Realmuto would be a perfect fit for the Mets, regardless of how quickly Kevin Plawecki returns from his hand injury. And with the Marlins in a deep rebuild, the idea that the Mets could find enough minor league pieces to entice Miami isn't far-fetched...

Kevin Plawecki's left hand was described as red and swollen, but not broken, following Wednesday's win against the Marlins. But on Friday, it was revealed that the hand is indeed broken, though he is expected to miss only two-to-three weeks.

The Plawecki injury happened hours after the Mets announced Travis d'Arnaud had been diagnosed with a partially torn right UCL, which could require season-ending Tommy John surgery.

Tommy John surgery for a position player is not as devastating (in terms of time lost) as it is for a pitcher's throwing elbow. However, given the throw to second from behind the plate, the operation would certainly mean losing d'Arnaud for an extended period of time. So, what do the Mets do now? 

Mickey Callaway, new to the Mets and new to managing altogether, arrived to expectations that he would be less inclined towards following the "old-school" guidelines than his predecessor. He is living up to those expectations in a number of ways, most notably in regards to his lineup construction, which he has varied with each of the six games so far.

The most striking way in which he has rejected traditional managerial dogma is in batting the pitcher eighth. This was something Terry Collins dabbled with briefly, but Callaway made a splash early by debuting this construction in his first game, and seems to have a clear strategy for exactly when and how to utilize it.

Callaway has a very clear goal in batting the pitcher eighth and that is to use the young Amed Rosario to his greatest potential. Rosario has the speed of a classic leadoff hitter but his low on base percentage makes him a liability high in the order. Pushing him down to ninth ensures that he sees good pitches ahead of Brandon Nimmo or whoever else is in the leadoff spot and also gives the Mets' potent top of the lineup more opportunities to drive in runs when Rosario does get on...

The Mets wanna know, do you want to build a snowman? Monday night's game has been postponed due to snow, and four players took to the infield at Citi Field to make a snowman -- complete with a pepper shaker.

AJ Ramos, Kevin Plawecki, Travis d'Arnaud, and Phil Evans then posed with their masterpiece. Or should we say, Metsterpiece.

Click below to see...

Andy Martino, SNY.tv | Twitter | Toward the end of our marathon pregame broadcast yesterday on SNY, the Baseball Night in New York crew batted around the question of "what would it take for the Mets to surprise this year?"

It's obvious that the team needs dominant starting pitching if it hopes to contend, so I suggested that a true key to their playoff hopes lies in a less obvious place -- the offense. If the Mets want to be relevant all summer, their lineup needs to be solid and competent, enough to help the excellent top half of the rotation, and high-ceiling bullpen.

The Mets won't be able to compete with the depth and quality of the position players suiting up for the Cubs, Nationals, or Dodgers but they can win plenty games in a weak division if their patchwork lineup delivers on its modest potential.

Michael Conforto hit a solo homer off teammate Paul Sewald during the Mets' intrasquad game on Monday in what was their final tuneup before Opening Day at Citi Field this Thursday >> CLICK HERE for the full boxscore

The game ended after 6 1/2 innings.

Conforto, who is ahead of schedule as he recovers from shoulder surgery, was a candidate to be on the team's Opening Day roster as a pinch-hitter, but will remain in extended Spring Training in Port St. Lucie.

Along with Conforto, all of the Mets' everyday players participated in Monday's game -- with half playing for the 'Mets' and the other half playing for the 'Las Vegas 51s.'

The Mets enter the 2018 regular season with projected wins ranging from 80 to 83 -- a disappointing set of expectations. But projections are always rough and it's normal to have a swing of plus or minus six-to-nine wins, which would give the Mets a shot at a playoff spot if things break right.

So what are the key breaks the Mets need to make it to the postseason?

A strong return by Michael Conforto

Steven Matz tossed six strong innings as the Mets lost to the Astros, 2-0,  on Monday afternoon in West Palm Beach.

To see the full box score, click here!

Things you should know about today's game...

1) Matz struck out nine batters in six innings, including six of the last seven he faced >> CLICK HERE to read more about his start

Mets manager Mickey Callaway and catcher Kevin Plawecki said they were encouraged by RHP Jeurys Familia's latest Grapefruit League outing.

Familia, who had been dealing with tightness in his throwing shoulder, threw a perfect inning in Thursday's 7-6 loss to the Miami Marlins.

"He was more Familia-like today than he had been," Callaway told reporters. "Way more arm speed. Better sink, better action on his two-seamer, which is what he does the best."

The Mets tie the Tigers 8-5 as Steven Matz threw four scoreless innings, Hansel Robles imploded with four earned runs, and Wilmer Flores and Kevin Plawecki each had a homer. 

To see the full box score, click here!

Things you should know about today's game...

It has been 10 years since Travis d'Arnaud first appeared on a top prospect list in baseball.

He'll enter this season 29 years old and, again, his team's starting catcher. However, despite 11 seasons in professional baseball, he has played just 393 big league games behind the plate.

In 2016, talking specifically about d'Arnaud, Hall of Fame catcher Mike Piazza told me it is not always easy for a catcher to reach his potential during his early-to-mid 20s. More realistically, he said, catchers tend to need until their late 20s, early 30s before finding a successful routine and establishing their own game...

Mets manager Mickey Callaway would like to see Mets catchers demonstrate better pitch selection during spring training.

Mike Piazza has joined the Mets at Port St. Lucie hoping to impart some wisdom to the team and is impressed with what he's seeing from  Mickey Callaway. He also challenges Travis d'Arnaud and Kevin Plawecki to improve and take the next step.

In the wide-ranging discussion, the affable Piazza spoke insightfully across many topics. He spoke about the Mets catchers, Callaway, the Italian soccer team he owns and more.

On Catchers

As a Hall of Fame catcher, Piazza was asked for his thoughts on the Mets current catching situation...

Tune in to Mets Hot Stove tonight at 6:30 on SNY, where GM Sandy Alderson, RHP Noah Syndergaard, 1B Dominic Smith, and catchers Travis d'Arnaud and Kevin Plawecki will be among the guests.

Mets manager Mickey Callaway is already showing his team how competitive he is, and it isn't just on the field. 

After seeing OF Brandon Nimmo's big sailfish scatch the other day, he decided to organize a shark fishing outing on Friday night to see if he can top Nimmo.

Infield prospects Phillip Evans captured C Kevin Plawecki's first catch of the night. 

Mets manager Mickey Callaway expressed optimism on Tuesday that a platoon between catchers Travis d'Arnaud and Kevin Plawecki can work this season, adding that he knows how hard it is to be a catcher.

"I think what we are going to do with the catching is going to be very important," Callaway said. "And I know how stressful it is to be a catcher. I sat next to catchers the last five years and constantly talked to them about what they need to do on a daily basis. And it is a lot."

And Callaway weighed in on the offensive potential of the two catchers, noting that they each bring something different to the table...

Anthony McCarron, SNY.tv | Twitter | Kevin Plawecki knows there are folks out there who hold low expectations for the Mets' catching tandem. And, yes, he's aware that some baseball pundits have suggested this winter that backstop is still an area of real Met need, that it should be fixed by bringing in free agent Jonathan Lucroy or another catcher.

But Plawecki, who split duties with Travis d'Arnaud at the end of last season, believes he and his teammate are being misjudged. It's part annoying, part motivating.

"I think we're very underestimated," Plawecki said in a telephone interview with SNY.tv. "But that comes with the territory of playing in New York. They underestimate a lot of things...