Between a torn anterior cruciate ligament and hamstring injuries in recent seasons, Wilson Ramos has spent plenty of time rehabbing his legs. But the Mets’ new catcher insists his legs are fresh after a season in which he was limited to 111 games — only 96 behind the plate — for the Rays and Phillies.
“I have been working on my agility stuff,” Ramos said Tuesday. “I have not been working on my knee anymore and I feel 100 percent with my knee.”
Ramos, 31, has played within the NL East for the Nationals and Phillies, which the Mets hope will translate into better knowledge of opposing hitters. Ramos, who signed a two-year contract worth $19 million that contains a club option for 2021, cited his desire to work with young pitchers and compete for the postseason as reasons the Mets were attractive to him.
It wasn’t until Ramos met with club officials last week at the winter meetings in Las Vegas that general manager Brodie Van Wagenen became convinced there was a match.
“We did a lot of research on his medical file, we obviously did a physical examination of him and we were able to get a really good detailed video of some of his workouts he was doing this offseason,” Van Wagenen said. “This is his first offseason in a while he hasn’t really had to rehab an injury. It’s very different for players that can go through an offseason training program preparing for the next season as opposed to have to go through the progression rehabbing from an injury, so we were very comfortable with that and he’s extremely confident he will be on the field a lot for us next year.”
Travis d’Arnaud and Kevin Plawecki are behind Ramos on the Mets’ depth chart at catcher. Van Wagenen could decide to trade one of them, but indicated he may also keep all three, with d’Arnaud perhaps considered for a utility role.
“We talked a lot this offseason about [d’Arnaud’s] ability to play first, his desire to play left — at least his willingness to do so — and his belief he can play third as well,” Van Wagenen said. “So if we were to carry three catchers it’s because of Travis’ versatility, but we’ll also be open to exploring other scenarios that give us a chance to get better in other areas.”
D’Arnaud, who earned $3.7 million last season — during which he underwent Tommy John surgery in April and never returned — was recently tendered a contract for 2019, but the Mets could cut him in spring training and only have to pay a fraction of that amount. Plawecki, who handled most of the catching duties last season, does not have minor league options remaining. The Mets also have catcher Tomas Nido on the 40-man roster, providing another option.