Scout, analysts address if Mets should make drastic Francisco Alvarez move

The New York Mets have reportedly acknowledged that “there might come a time when” the membership may have to offer struggling catcher Francisco Alvarez a reset by sending him right down to Triple-A Syracuse. 

For a chunk printed on Friday, SNY’s John Harper spoke with a major-league scout and a number of analysts about how the Mets ought to deal with Alvarez main as much as the All-Star break. 

“I like the best way he performs the sport,” the scout mentioned about Alvarez. “So in a single sense, I hate to say it, however I feel he’s in his personal head a lot that the Mets have to strive one thing drastic and ship him down [to the minors]. Give him an opportunity to determine some issues out away from the highlight.”

Alvarez seemingly hasn’t been the identical hitter since he missed time resulting from a torn ligament in his left thumb final yr. He did not make his season debut till April 25 due to the damaged hamate bone in his left hand that he suffered throughout spring coaching. He slashed .229/.316/.305 with a disappointing .621 OPS, two dwelling runs, 10 RBI and 5 extra-base hits throughout his first 34 video games of the continuing marketing campaign. 

“I definitely wouldn’t surrender on Alvarez, and I don’t assume sending him to the minors and going through Triple-A pitching would actually accomplish something, except the Mets consider he merely wants a psychological break. In that case, perhaps it will assist him get a reset,” The Athletic’s Keith Regulation instructed Harper. 

MLB insider Andy Martino of SNY shared in a mailbag printed on Thursday that “the Mets need Francisco Alvarez to determine it out on the MLB degree.” Nevertheless, that was earlier than New York’s dropping streak was prolonged to 6 by way of a 7-1 loss on the rival Atlanta Braves on Thursday. 

“The Mets are within the enterprise of profitable video games, and if Alvarez can’t determine it out with the large membership, the group will contemplate sending him to Triple-A,” Martino added. “A demotion isn’t imminent. And for what it’s value, Alvarez nonetheless has the potential to be a high catcher within the league.”

Whereas sure stats confirmed that outfielder Juan Soto would finally get away of his springtime droop, there isn’t any indication Alvarez will flip a figurative swap anytime quickly. Former participant and present SNY on-air analyst Todd Zeile thinks getting Alvarez “out of the fishbowl” of the bigs might assist the slugger discover some wanted confidence. 

“However all people reacts in another way to one thing like that,” Zeile additionally warned whereas chatting with Harper. 

As of the afternoon of June 20, Mets supervisor Carlos Mendoza appeared wonderful with having Alvarez cut up time with Luis Torrens. That mentioned, whispers in regards to the membership presumably sending Alvarez down will solely develop louder if he continues to look misplaced on the plate via the beginning of July.