Former MLB executive Jim Bowden believes the Chicago White Sox could make a serious push to acquire Mets catcher Luis Torrens, warning New York fans that the offer might be difficult for president of baseball operations David Stearns to ignore.
Torrens, who signed a two-year extension earlier this season, has become one of the Mets’ more intriguing trade chips because of his value as one of the league’s top backup catchers.
Despite his importance to the roster, the Mets could consider moving Torrens if the return is strong enough.
However, recent reports indicate New York is unwilling to include any of its top-10 prospects in deals with Chicago, making it harder to construct a blockbuster trade centered around higher-profile players such as Luke Weaver.
One potential solution would involve the White Sox absorbing one of the Mets’ expensive contracts along with Torrens.
Veterans like Marcus Semien and Sean Manaea have been mentioned as possible salary-dump candidates, although Manaea’s recent improvement could convince New York to keep him and revisit trade possibilities during the offseason instead.
A proposed trade scenario would send Torrens and Semien to Chicago in exchange for outfield prospect George Wolkow.
The deal would allow the Mets to reduce future payroll obligations while adding a promising young player, while the White Sox would receive a reliable catcher and an experienced veteran.
Although the proposal is considered unlikely, it highlights the type of creative trade packages New York may need to explore as it balances competing now with improving its long-term financial flexibility.
