When it comes to batters this season, just look at how the player comes up to bat. Are they left handed? Not really interested.
The Mets had major problems facing left handed starters last year as not only the “thump” in the lineup was weakened but our ability to smack hits around the field. Thole was impacted by this. When Thole is at his best, he is getting on base, not necessarily slugging, but just setting up the table for the other strong hitters (if they showed).
This is why the Mets should take a risk on Soto. Soto at his best in the past has had some serious pop for a catcher. At his worst, he’s still a lot better than Mike Nickeas. The past two years Soto has been on the decline but he had a solid three of four seasons between 2008 and 2011. His rookie of the year season was really the last season that he had the full slate of play time but that would work for the Mets. Thole isn’t terrible, and Thole would benefit from having another catcher on roster who was effective with the bat. It would take some of the pressure off of his bat, and probably off of management to play Thole where he would have little success.
I’m normally not a fan of signing someone just to be a platoon, but in this case, with Thole and the state of the Mets, a platoon here would work. And if Soto and can find himself from two years ago, then it could be a steal for the Mets.
Let’s sign Soto!
