Mets manager Buck Showalter talked about the value of Francisco Alvarez backing up catcher Tomas Nido, likening it to a rookie quarterback in the NFL learning from a veteran starter.
Tiki and Tierney didn’t think Showalter’s response and outlook for Alvarez showed much short-term confidence in the franchise’s top prospect.
“That doesn’t exactly like a full throttle endorsement for what they have planned for the young man,” BT said. “What? What is that? That would really bother me if I were a Mets fan.
“They don’t trust Alvarez behind the plate, and he hasn’t hit in front of them enough to put him out there.”
Tiki believes that not only should the lack of resolve around Alvarez and his ability to contribute to the Mets in the here and now should also light a fire under Alvarez himself.
“That would really bother me if I was Francisco Alvarez,” Tiki said. “It sounds like he’s only gonna play if Nido is terrible…I hope he’s just slow playing it, but at the same time, if I’m Francisco Alvarez and I’ve just seen my counterpart on the Yankees in Anthony Volpe be lauded and start Opening Day at home in Yankee Stadium, I’m kind of feeling not really included in the party. I wonder if the team could benefit from Alvarez getting a real shot.”
What does it mean for Alvarez’s role moving forward, as Omar Narvaez is expected to be out 8-9 weeks? It doesn’t seem like he will have much playing time, and also potentially shows that Showalter is putting his trust in his veterans to finally get him to a World Series.
“We all respect Buck and I think we all trust Buck,” BT said. “But I think Buck to me, at this stage, he’s just more inclined to ride veterans. Buck wants to win a World Series.”
Follow WFAN's midday team on Twitter: @TikiandTierney, @TikiBarber, @BrandonTierney, and @TheHoffWFAN
Listen live to WFAN via:
Audacy App | Online Stream | Smart Speaker
Follow WFAN on Social Media:
Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | Twitch