ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) \u2014 The New York Mets rewarded Luis Torrens with a two-year, $11.5-million contract extension Saturday on his 30th birthday, locking up one of baseball\u2019s best backup catchers through the 2028 season.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s special, honestly,\u201d Torrens, speaking through an interpreter, said before Saturday night\u2019s game against the Los Angeles Angels. \u201cI\u2019m really, really happy about it. Ever since I got here to the Mets, everyone has treated me great. I feel like I\u2019m part of the family.\u201d<\/p>\n
Torrens was a journeyman who spent time in five other organizations when the Mets acquired him from the New York Yankees in May of 2024.<\/p>\n
He quickly established himself as a defensive force, filling in for injured starter Francisco Alvarez and splitting time with Alvarez on a Mets team that went 89-73 and advanced to the NL Championship Series.<\/p>\n
Torrens was a National League Gold Glove finalist last season, when threw out 20 of 49 runners (40.8%) attempting to steal, the second-highest caught-stealing rate in the majors. Per Baseball Savant, he led baseball with 12 catchers caught-stealing above average. He has thrown out four of seven attempted base-stealers this season.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s huge, huge,\u201d Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said of Torrens\u2019 ability to control the running game. \u201cHe\u2019s been a great citizen, a great player, one of the best, if not the best, backup catchers in the league. I\u2019m proud of him and glad that he\u2019s finally getting rewarded.\u201d<\/p>\n
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