Heading into the winter, everyone was well aware that the Mets needed a catcher. The team cut ties with Wilson Ramos, who held down the fort behind the plate over the past two seasons, and Robinson Chirinos, whom they acquired prior to the trade deadline. Tomás Nido, who was coming off a fine season that was cut short by a COVID-19 diagnosis, was not really an enticing option to be a full-time starter.
J.T. Realmuto, arguably the best catcher in the game, was out there on the free agent market, and the organization had just been sold to Steve Cohen and his $14.