A running theme for the New York Mets depth chart under the vision David Stearns includes backup catchers with the ability to play the field, too. We haven’t seen the Mets deploy this in any fashion at the major league level yet, but they may gain more of an opportunity if there’s any interest in a recently DFA’d player who spent the last few seasons with the San Francisco Giants.

Blake Sabol, 27 as of this week, is now available on the waiver wire. A trade with the Giants can more easily assure the Mets he ends up in Syracuse where Sabol can provide them with additional catching depth. The ball club has already added Jakson Reetz and Chris Williams who’ve each played some outfield in addition to suiting up behind the plate. Sabol could be next.

Blake Sabol has actually hit some at the major league level, setting him apart from other catchers the Mets added this offseason

The .243/.313/.392 slash line with 13 home runs in 382 trips to the plate he carries with him isn’t enough to bump Luis Torrens off the roster. It’s good protection, though, in case Torrens continues to struggle as he did late in 2024. A catcher who can throw runners out is great to have. Is it worth punting offensively, though?

It’s in this area where Sabol hasn’t been so excellent. All 11 attempted base stealers were successful against him last year in a short sample of 65 innings behind the plate. He was much better at keeping runners honest in the minors, throwing out attempted base stealers at a rate of 35%.

Interestingly, Sabol was more of an outfielder in college than he was a catcher. His original team, the Pittsburgh Pirates, used him at both spots regularly from the onset of his career. When he made the majors for the first time in 2023 with the Giants, he caught 55 games and played another 43 in left field. It’s a unique ability to have and would allow the Mets a chance to more safely put Francisco Alvarez at the DH spot on a regular basis.