The non-tender deadline was the cause of Friday’s flurry. In addition to a surge of free agents who were primarily out of options, a flurry of players were non-tendered by their ball clubs. Compared to others, the New York Mets enjoyed a considerably peaceful day. Since the ball club did not tender Alex Ramirez, Alex Young, or Grant Hartwig, three 40-man roster places became available.

They added earlier in the day, too. Which location on the depth chart, in your opinion, has the thinnest layer of talent? It would be accurate to say that the catcher position has the fewest backup plans. In free agency, they’ll figure out the pitching. However, if Luis Torrens or Francisco Alvarez suffer an injury, catching won’t be their strong point.

Jakson Reetz, 28, was signed to a minor league contract. In order to demonstrate his abilities to the Mets in the event that they require some catching assistance this upcoming season, he gets invited to spring training.

Jakson Reetz was added by the Mets to their dwindling catching depth chart.

Reetz, a seasoned catcher with just 17 MLB plate appearances under his belt and a batting average below the Mendoza Line, will remain on the taxi squad for a while. It is advantageous for him to stay with the Mets because he still has a minor league option. He won’t play in the majors unless someone gets hurt, so there’s no need to add him on the 40-man roster.

They don’t get much from the minor league Mets’ catching core. Most likely, you are already aware of Kevin Parada’s difficulties. They also have Matt O’Neill and Hayden Senger, who are just a year younger than Reetz and have not yet made it to the major leagues.

Although Reetz hasn’t destroyed minor league pitchers, he did have a season in 2022 with 30 home runs, 22 of which were in Double-A for the Milwaukee Brewers. It seems like David Stearns liked him enough in those days. Is there anything he can do but catch? Reetz has been in left field for more than 300 innings.

The concept of a catcher/outfielder is still mostly unfamiliar, if not terrifying. For Mets fans of a particular age, flashbacks about Todd Hundley attempting to catch fly balls are too frequent. Reetz is not the only player to possess this quality. Even though Cooper Hummel didn’t make it through the entire winter, the Mets’ claim of him off waivers last year demonstrated Stearns’ interest in these kinds of guys. Under Stearns, Hummel also worked with the Brewers for a while. Last year, he moved away from catcher more completely. He never wore the pads during a game while he was a part of the Houston Astros organization.

Hal Steinbrenner and the Yankees’ captain are collaborating on ambitious 2025 renovations.

As the New York Yankees pursue a World Series championship, captain Aaron Judge continues to have a significant influence on the team’s personnel and approach. The Yankees are now concentrating on fixing the obvious flaws that were revealed during their postseason run, such as defensive inefficiency and uneven base running, after losing to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 2024 World Series.

Protecting Juan Soto: A Primary Concern

Securing a long-term agreement for standout outfielder Juan Soto is the Yankees’ top priority this off-season. The New York Mets are fierce rivals with the financial clout to offer Soto a record-breaking contract, even though owner Hal Steinbrenner just met with Soto and his reps and the meeting apparently went well.

However, Aaron Judge has stated unequivocally that Soto’s return is not only a priority but also essential. Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports that Judge and Steinbrenner met in Tampa soon after the World Series to talk about a number of topics related to the team’s 2025 strategy. Soto’s significance to the Yankees’ future was the main topic of these conversations.

Soto, who just finished his finest regular season ever, slashed.288/.419/.569 with 41 home runs and 109 RBIs in 157 games in 2024. His outstanding on-base abilities gave Judge crucial lineup protection, enabling the defending AL MVP to see better pitches and improve his own play.

Judge’s Outstanding 2024 Run

Judge had a truly remarkable 2024 season. The slugger struck.322/.458/.701 with an incredible 218 wRC+, 58 home runs, and 144 RBIs. Judge’s leadership and output are still vital to the Yankees’ success even though his postseason performance fell short of his domination in the regular season. His ability to make the most of Soto’s position in the lineup highlights how crucial it is to keep the 26-year-old outfielder.

Judge has avoided pressing Soto regarding his choice because he has already successfully negotiated his own free agency a few years back. After winning the AL MVP award, Judge stated in a conference call, “I think the best thing is to really give those guys space.” I spoke with him throughout the season. He is aware of our feelings for him.

The Judge-Soto Relationship

Judge and Soto work in unrivaled harmony, with Soto’s superior plate discipline and ability to wear out pitchers giving Judge the chance to flourish. Judge himself recognized the importance of Soto’s position in the starting lineup. “I get to see a lot of pitches because I have the opportunity to watch Juan hit in front of me,” Judge stated. Within the first fifteen pitches or so of the first inning, he will wear down the pitcher. I would really like to have eight Juan Sotos in the lineup with me.

The Yankees are aware that other players, like Anthony Santander or Corbin Burnes, could never fully replace Soto’s output. Given that Soto is only 26 years old and just starting his career, a possible yearly pay of $50 million would be a wise investment for the ensuing ten years.

The Mets’ Danger

The Yankees are still the obvious pick for Soto, but things might get complicated because of Mets owner Steve Cohen’s willingness to spend money. Although the Yankees have the reputation, a strong roster, and Judge’s support on their side, Cohen has the means to make an unheard-of offer. The Yankees will establish themselves as consistent contenders for many years to come if they are able to keep Soto.

Enhancing Other Domains

Judge’s impact goes beyond Soto’s possible expansion. The captain has pushed for defensive changes and increases in small-ball effectiveness. Targeting Christian Walker, a superb defensive first baseman with a strong bat, is one move that fits with this mentality. Walker would secure a crucial position and improve the team’s overall performance with his Gold Glove-caliber defense and offensive consistency.

Innovation in the Front Desk

It will be critical for the Yankees to be able to use their roster construction creativity. The organization can advance by making wise investments in guys like Walker and strengthening the bullpen, but keeping Soto would cost a lot of money. The Yankees have a genuine chance to correct their shortcomings and make another long postseason run in 2025 with Judge spearheading the effort and Steinbrenner dedicated to improving.