Trade rumors are swirling around Mets catcher Luis Torrens, and the noise is loud. The Chicago White Sox are among the teams reportedly interested in acquiring him. Jon Heyman reported that the Mets wish to keep Torrens. This stance makes perfect sense for a team trying to stabilize its backstop position.
Torrens signed a two-year, $11 million extension back in May. Moving a player so soon after locking him up is typically bad form. The front office knows this, and they should stick to their guns. Trading him now would send the wrong message to the rest of the roster.
He’s A Top-Tier Defender
Look at the numbers, and the value becomes crystal clear. Since joining the Mets in 2024, Torrens has appeared in 203 games. He is hitting .239/.297/.344 with an offensive worth of 3.5 fWAR. That total ranks 21st in all of baseball, which is impressive for a backup.
His real worth, however, lies behind the plate. Torrens ranks sixth among catchers in baseball during that span per Fangraphs’ Defensive Runs Above Average. Only Patrick Bailey, Alejandro Kirk, Cal Raleigh, Austin Wells, and Dillon Dingler rank higher. He handles pitchers well and is particularly adept at throwing out runners. That skill set is rare and hard to find on the open market.
No Ready Replacement Exists
The biggest reason to keep Torrens is the lack of a viable successor. Francisco Alvarez has missed ample time with a series of injuries. Torrens gives the team a solid backstop even when Alvarez goes down. No Mets catching prospect appears ready to match Torrens on offense or defense.
Over the last two seasons, Hayden Senger has received some playing time. He is fine in a pinch, but he would be a fairly major downgrade. Trading Torrens would leave the Mets with a massive hole at catcher. Most teams would envy having him as either a backup or a starter. Given the current state of catching in baseball, he represents a major upgrade for any team seeking improvement.
Many teams will likely inquire about the Mets at the deadline. That is just the nature of having an affordable, team-controlled asset. But selling now would be a mistake. They need to ride out the storm and keep their best defensive catcher. The return just will not match the value he provides on the field.
Do you think the Mets should listen to offers for Torrens, or is he untouchable? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
