Where do Alvarez, Baty stand as Mets determine Deadline plans?

PHILADELPHIA -- Francisco Alvarez hit two home runs for the Mets in a 4-1 win over the Phillies on Thursday at Citizens Bank Park, placing him in the Top 10 among Major League catchers despite an injury-shortened season. Brett Baty clubbed one of his own, continuing his hot hitting from before the All-Star break.

Expect to hear their names more over the next few weeks, as the Mets determine exactly whom to sell before the Aug. 3 Trade Deadline.

The Mets, who are reportedly “open for business” off a disappointing first half that saw them produce the fourth-worst record in MLB, have some obvious pieces to sell. Left-handed relievers Brooks Raley and A.J. Minter, who can be free agents after the season, are all but certain to go. Righties Luke Weaver and Huascar Brazobán may be slightly less obvious, only because they are under team control beyond this season. Still, their names figure to be prominent in trade discussions, along with those of starters Freddy Peralta and Clay Holmes. Everyone needs pitching.

Less obvious are players like Alvarez and Baty -- former top prospects who are under team control for multiple seasons after this one, but who have yet to blossom into stars.

As recently as June 29, Baty held a .585 OPS, which placed him near the very bottom of Major League qualifiers. He has since hit safely in 11 of 13 games, with homers in two of his past four, including a solo shot off Phillies starter Aaron Nola in the seventh inning Thursday. That, along with Baty’s ability to play up to five positions credibly, suggests he could garner some interest at the Deadline -- at least as a utilityman.

Then there is Alvarez, whose potential has always been there to see. Catchers capable of hitting 25 homers, as Alvarez did as a 21-year-old back in 2023, aren’t easy to find. He’s on pace to hit 18 this season after clubbing two off Nola on Thursday, and that number would be even higher had Alvarez not missed a month due to a right meniscus tear.