The New York Mets are now starting their backup catcher, but they have a lot of faith in Luis Torrens.
The New York Mets had low expectations when they first traded for Luis Torren back in 2024. Starting catcher Francisco Alvarez was on the IL with a torn thumb ligament, and Torrens was a career backup who’d never really hit much, so that was justified.
But Torrens picked up four RBIs in four games, according to Anthony DiComo of MLB.com, and he started a 2-3 double play in London that the writer called a “flash point” for the Mets season. Torrens has since had successful runs several times with Alvarez out with a knee injury, and the Mets are asking him to do it again.
This time around, though, the Mets have a different level of recognition for what Torrens can provide. They recently rewarded him with a lucrative two-year extension that will reportedly pay him $15 million, although earlier reports had that number a lot lower.
“I always prepare myself like I’m going to play every day,” Torrens said. “So when that moment comes, I’m already in my same routine and my same mood. I just try to stay healthy and help the team in all the areas I can help -- defense, offense. That’s the goal.”
His prep work shows. Torrens sweats the details, and they almost always become important defensively. Manager Carlos Mendoza calls Torrens the best backup in baseball, and Mendoza also noted the extra work that will have to go into his offensive work as pitchers figure out his weaknesses. Torrens won’t put up big offensive numbers, but he does have a knack for timely hitting.
He’ll also have to do some extra work to stay healthy. Being a starting catcher involves taking a beating, and Torrens knows it.
“You have to take care of your body a little bit more,” Torrens said. “But I’m trying to prepare myself so when the opportunities come, I don’t really have to change much. Just keep doing what I do.”
Pitchers love throwing to him based on what he does, and that’s especially important with the Mets staff. It’s a strange assortment of hurlers, including veterans like Clay Holmes and David Peterson, stars like Freddy Peralta and emerging stars like Nolan McLean.
The Mets aren’t expecting much offense from Torrens, but that doesn’t mean he won’t provide some. Given the way the Mets lineup struggled during their last road trip, getting contributions from everyone is important.
“Making adjustments from at-bat to at-bat, series to series, game to game, pitch to pitch… I think offensively, it’s more of that,” Mendoza said. “You play one game, OK. Now, you play one game, they’re watching you in the lineup the next day. You’re going to be pitched a certain way until you make an adjustment.”