Mets Agree Catcher Wilson Ramos 2-Year Deal For $19 Million

The New York Mets have agreed a deal for free agent catcher Wilson Ramos pending a physical, according to the New York Times’ James Wagner. The two-year deal will guarantee the catcher $19 million, with $8.25 million coming in the first year and then $9.25 million in the second season.

Ramos also has a $10 million option for the 2021 season with a $1.5 million buyout clause. The max value of the deal could see his contract being worth $27.5 million if he remains for three seasons in New York.

Wagner claimed there were a number of teams interested in signing Ramos, but were only willing to offer the catcher a one-year deal. The Mets are said to have met with him in person – where they offered him a two-year deal – to reach an agreement.

The Mets’ signing of Ramos will see them drop out of the race for Miami Marlins catcher J.T. Realmuto, whom they reportedly pursued aggressively last week. There were reports of a potential three-team trade that involved the New York Yankees.

The 31-year-old was an All-Star last season, having spent time with the Tampa Bay Rays and the Philadelphia Phillies. He hit .306/.358/.487 (130 OPS+) with 22 doubles, 15 homers and 70 RBI last season after recovering from the ACL injury that he suffered in 2016.

Ramos, who has also spent time with the Minnesota Twins and the Washington Nationals, is considered one of the best catchers in baseball. He will become the starting catcher for the Mets next season, according to CBS Sports, with either Kevin Plawecki or Travis d'Arnaud serving as the backup.

The Venezuelan’s departure from the free agent market will now promote Yasmani Grandal as the best free agent catcher, with Jonathan Lucroy and Martin Maldonado also remaining on the list.

Ramos, a two-time All-Star and Silver Slugger award winner, has torn his ACL on two occasions in his career – the only concern for the Mets going into the new season. However, he is quite a catch for the New York franchise as according to Yahoo Sports, of catchers with at least 1,000 plate appearances over the past three seasons, Ramos’ OPS of .826 is second, behind Gary Sánchez and ahead of Buster Posey, Willson Contreras and fellow free agent Grandal.