ANAHEIM, Calif. — The New York Mets gave Luis Torrens a birthday to remember on Saturday. As he turned 30, the club rewarded the reliable catcher with a two-year contract extension worth $11.5 million, a source confirmed. Torrens, who was set to become a free agent after the World Series, will receive $2 million up front.
Torrens originally joined the Mets in 2024 via a trade with the Yankees on a minor league deal, and he quickly became an invaluable piece behind the plate. Known as a steady backup catcher who earns the trust of the pitching staff, Torrens brings elite framing skills, quick pop times, and a cannon for an arm. He also provides a dangerous bat off the bench, boasting a career .339 average and an .856 OPS as a pinch-hitter.
With starting catcher Francisco Alvarez dealing with multiple injuries over the past few seasons, Torrens has consistently stepped in and delivered. While he doesn't match Alvarez's power, Torrens excels at getting on base and driving in runs with timely doubles. The duo works seamlessly together, and Torrens has also taken on a mentorship role for Triple-A catcher Hayden Senger. What that means for Senger's future remains uncertain, especially with Alvarez under team control through 2029. Regardless, this extension solidifies the Mets' catching corps for years to come.
On the mound, right-hander Christian Scott showed his resilience Friday night against the Los Angeles Angels. After surrendering an early two-run homer, Scott stayed composed even when another run scored on a bad throw from Alvarez attempting to catch Zach Neto stealing. Down 3-0, Scott settled in and pitched five innings, striking out eight batters without issuing a single walk. That control was a major improvement from his first major league start of the season, where five walks against the Minnesota Twins on April 23 led to an early exit.
Scott, who missed all of last season recovering from Tommy John surgery, is back in the big leagues and proving he's the same—if not better—pitcher the Mets saw as a rookie in 2024. "I was able to go out there and just be myself," Scott said. "Obviously, I wasn't trying to do too much."