Devin Mesoraco Won’t Be On Mets Opening Day Roster

23 Mar

Devin Mesoraco
Newsday.com:

Told that he didn’t make the Mets’ major-league club, Devin Mesoraco decided Saturday to leave the team rather than report to minor-league camp.

Mesoraco was among the Mets’ latest spring training cuts. Also reassigned to the minors were infielder Adeiny Hechavarria, outfielders Rajai Davis and Carlos Gomez, and lefthanders Ryan O’Rourke and Hector Santiago.

The Mets said Mesoraco was “reassessing his situation.” But a source familiar with Mesoraco’s thinking said the catcher, who is 30 and has spent more than seven years in the majors, will not go to Triple-A. He remains under contract — a minor-league deal — with the Mets, who are left with a decision: grant Mesoraco his release or put him on the restricted list.

Mesoraco’s disappointment stems from pre-contract conversations with the Mets, which left him under the impression that he had two viable paths to breaking camp with the team: if Travis d’Arnaud (Tommy John surgery) wasn’t ready for the start of the season, or if the Mets carried three catchers. In the end, the Mets prioritized Tomas Nido over Mesoraco, even with d’Arnaud’s fate to be decided.

This makes little sense. Nido can’t hit at all and Mesoraco was not only superb catching Jacob deGrom last season, but the guy is a former All-Star. Plus, with his hapless track record, you just know that Travis d’Arnaud is going to get injured at some point this season, it’s just a matter of when.

Could The Mets Carry 3 Catchers On Their Roster?

3 Mar

Travis D'Arnaud
NYPost.com:

D’Arnaud said he had completed all the steps necessary to get back on the field and Callaway added that the final steps included “live throwing, [facing] live runners, getting his footwork synced up. He’s doing really well.”

The catcher’s status remains uncertain, even if he does prove himself to be healthy.

The Mets added Wilson Ramos in the offseason on a two-year deal worth $19 million and signed Devin Mesoraco, a favorite of NL Cy Young winner Jacob deGrom, late in the offseason.

D’Arnaud was tendered a contract worth $3.52 million, but if the Mets let him go before the end of spring training, they’d have to pay just 25 percent of that amount.

Is it possible that the Mets could keep all 3 catchers on their roster for Opening Day? Other teams have done it and I believe that Mesoraco and even D’Arnaud could play some 1st base.

Devin Mesoraco Returns to Mets with Minor-League Deal

9 Feb

Devin Mesoraco Jacob deGrom
Newsday.com:

The Mets are bringing back catcher Devin Mesoraco, who was acquired for Matt Harvey last May.

Mesoraco was signed to a minor-league contract and invited to major-league spring training, the club announced Thursday.

“Devin is greatly respected among our pitching staff and is extremely well prepared,” general manager Brodie Van Wagenen said in a statement. “We are hopeful he can contribute in 2019.”

Mesoraco, 30, played in 18 games for the Reds last season before coming to the Mets in the Harvey deal on May 8. He played 66 games for the Mets, hitting .222 with 10 home runs and 30 RBIs. Overall, he hit .221 with 11 home runs and 33 RBIs.

Mesoraco was did his best work last year catching for Jabob deGrom.