Inside the Astros

Houston Astros Should Pursue Mets Veteran Catcher Available for Trade

The Houston Astros could use extra help at the catcher position and the New York Mets have a surplus.
Kade Kistner|
Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports

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Houston Astros

The Houston Astros have a few holes on a very talented roster.

One of them is at the catcher's position.

Yes, they employ Martin Maldonado, a wizard of a game caller and a fan favorite. But adding an additional veteran tactician to the position would help alleviate some of the immense pressure placed on Maldonado.

That's where New York Mets catcher Tomas Nido comes into play. Quite literally, hopefully. 

The Mets elected to go with Francisco Álvarez and Omar Narváez over Nido, the veteran who has been with the franchise for nearly seven years, the entirety of his career. 

According to multiple reports, New York is planning on working out a trade for Nido in the coming days. Something they can do after having designated him for assignement.

Nido has a career slashline of .213/.249/.308 and has shown very little power in his career. However, Nido is known for his defensive abilities, pitch framing, and pop time. 

He is essentially another Maldonado. But having two veteran catchers on staff that pitchers and players can trust would be huge in terms of pitcher development. 

Nido is the best option on the trade block right now and he could come at a shockingly low price. Plus, New York wishes to do right by Nido after his service to the club.

What better way then to ship him off to another contender?

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Kade Kistner
KADE KISTNER

Kade Kistner is the publisher and beat writer for Sports Illustrated's Inside the Phillies. An alumnus of Tulane University, Kade graduated in 2017 with a degree in Latin American Studies and a minor in Spanish. Upon graduation, Kade commissioned into the United States Navy and attended Naval Flight School in Pensacola, Fl. He served as a Naval Aviator and was stationed in Jacksonville, Fl. During his time in school and the Navy, Kade began covering the MLB and NFL with USA Today, SB Nation, and Sports Illustrated. Kade covered the New Orleans Saints, Texas Rangers, and numerous other teams within the Sports Illustrated network before launching Inside the Phillies, Inside the Astros, and Inside the Cubs. You can follow him on Twitter at @KadeKistner, or if you have any questions or comments he can be reached via email at kwkistner@gmail.com.

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