Imagine a baseball player who’s become something of a journeyman, bouncing from team to team, yet still holds value as a reliable backup. That’s Ben Rortvedt, the catcher who recently found himself claimed off waivers by the Mets—a move that’s less about fanfare and more about strategic depth. But here’s where it gets interesting: Rortvedt’s path to the Mets isn’t just another roster shuffle; it’s a story of resilience, defensive prowess, and the harsh realities of Major League Baseball’s competitive landscape.
This isn’t Rortvedt’s first rodeo in New York. Back in 2022, he was part of the high-profile trade that sent Gary Sánchez and Gio Urshela to the Twins, landing him with the Yankees. Fast forward to 2026, and the 28-year-old is now vying for a spot in the Mets’ catching lineup during Spring Training. Drafted in the second round by the Twins in 2016, Rortvedt made his MLB debut in 2021, but his career has since been a carousel of trades and waivers. Before the 2022 season, he joined the Yankees alongside Josh Donaldson and Isiah Kiner-Falefa. In 2024, he was traded to the Rays just before Opening Day, and by the 2025 trade deadline, he was off to the Dodgers.
With the Dodgers, Rortvedt played a modest 18 regular-season games but stepped up during the postseason, starting four games while Will Smith recovered from an injury. He impressed in the Wild Card Series, going 3-for-6 with a double and an RBI as the Dodgers dominated the Reds. Ironically, the Reds claimed him off waivers just a month later. After briefly returning to the Dodgers earlier this month, the Mets scooped him up on Sunday, adding another chapter to his nomadic career.
Rortvedt’s value lies primarily in his defense. In 2021, he posted a Fielding Run Value of 5 in just 39 games, and he remains an above-average pitch framer. His arm strength is also notable—last season, he averaged 85.3 mph on throws, ranking 16th in baseball, just behind Francisco Alvarez. But here’s where it gets controversial: While his defensive skills are undeniable, his offensive production has been underwhelming. With a career 57 OPS+ and a .190/.279/.270 slash line, Rortvedt has struggled at the plate. Last season was particularly rough, as he posted a -0.5 bWAR in 44 games. The only exception was 2024 with the Rays, where he managed an 80 OPS+ and a positive bWAR, thanks to a strong start that included an .831 OPS by April’s end—a pace he couldn’t sustain.
The Mets’ acquisition of Rortvedt is a calculated risk. With no options remaining, they must either keep him on the Opening Day roster or risk losing him to waivers. Francisco Alvarez and Luis Torrens are the clear starters, but the Mets have a deep bench of backup catchers for 2026: Rortvedt, defensive standout Hayden Senger, veteran Austin Barnes, and former first-round pick Kevin Parada, who ended last season in Triple-A. The real question is who among this quartet will be the first to step up if Alvarez or Torrens goes down.
If Rortvedt shines in Spring Training, he could secure the third spot in the Mets’ catching hierarchy. However, this would also make him an attractive waiver target for other teams, complicating the Mets’ plans to send him to Triple-A. For David Stearns, this move is less about long-term potential and more about insurance, especially given Alvarez’s injury history. And this is the part most people miss: Whether Rortvedt becomes a staple in Mets blue and orange or just another stop on his journey, it’s unlikely he’ll be remembered in New York more for his play than for his role in that 2022 blockbuster trade.
So, here’s the question for you: Is Rortvedt’s defensive skill enough to justify his spot on the Mets’ roster, or is he just another temporary fix in a league that demands more from its players? Let’s hear your thoughts in the comments!
