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The Mets' catching duo of Josh Thole and Mike Nickeas has been an offensive liability all season, and the Mets are reportedly interested in Red Sox backup catcher Kelly Shoppach as a potential upgrade behind the plate.
Shoppach, whose name has been linked to the Mets at various points over the past few years, is in the midst of his best offensive season as he backs up Jarrod Saltalamacchia. He is hitting .263/.375/.516 with a .375 wOBA and 132 wRC+. All of those numbers are significantly above his career norms, but Shoppach has a career .385 wOBA against left-handed pitchers. He would be, at the very least, a significant upgrade over Nickeas or Thole against left-handed pitching, and he could fare just as well as or better than Thole against right-handed pitching.
Unlike the Mets, Boston has a catcher mashing in the minor leagues in Ryan Lavarnway, which makes Shoppach expendable. Shoppach signed a one-year, $1.35 million contract with the Red Sox before the season, and he is 32 years old. If he is available at the right price, he makes a whole lot more sense than Ramon Hernandez, whose name was bandied about in the rumor mill a couple weeks ago.