Photo by James Farrance Photography

Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports the New York Mets have re-signed Rene Rivera to a minor league deal with an invitation to Spring Training.

If the 36 year old Rivera makes the Major League roster, he will earn $1 million with an opportunity for another $300,000 in incentives.

Last year, Rivera played 98 games for Triple-A Syracuse hitting .254/.319/.501 with 13 doubles, 25 homers, and 73 RBI. He would get called up late in the season, and he’d show he was still in sync with Noah Syndergaard, which is something which may bolster his chances.

It will be interesting to see how this affects the Mets catching situation in 2020. Last year, even with Rivera having a career best year offensively in Triple-A, the team stuck with Tomas Nido as the backup. Nido is 11 years younger and now out of options.

Ali Sanchez was added to the 40 man roster this offseason to protect him from the Rule 5 Draft, and in all likelihood, the team would not want Patrick Mazeika repeating Double-A again.

If nothing else, Rivera represents quality depth at the catching position in 2020. That said, he does not represent the upgrade at the backup catcher position Brodie Van Wagenen said he was seeking when the offseason had commenced.