CARLSBAD, Calif. — The free-agent catching market is so thin the Mets already have a preferred option at the position.
According to an industry source, the Mets are showing strong interest in Martin Maldonado, whose representatives convened with team officials this week at the general managers’ meetings.
The 32-year-old Maldonado, who split last season between the Angels and Astros, lacks offensive pop — he posted a .627 OPS last season — but with the Mets placing an emphasis on starting pitching in 2019, he fits the description of somebody adept at handling a rotation, blocking balls in the dirt and throwing out base runners.