The Mets locked up their catchers for the 2008 season and you have to be happy with the Yorvit Torrealba signing. Three years, $14.4 million could turn out to be a huge bargain if we get what the Rockies got out of Torrelba in 2007. Anytime you sign a Rockie there’s some concern because of the ballpark factor and Torrealba did struggle on the road (.212/.292/.326) so you have to hope he can get it done at Shea (and then Citifield).
You do get the defense though and Torrealba finished with 27 fielding runs above replacement. He didn’t allow many passed balls but his throwout rate wasn’t all that great. Still, he didn’t make a single fielding error all season and he seemed like he did a good job with the pitching staff.
In addition, Torrealba was probably the best option out there. Jorge Posada would have been nice but the Yankees took care of things there. The Mets also signed their back up catcher with Ramon Castro coming back into the fold.
