​NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 04: Francisco Alvarez #4 of the New York Mets celebrates as he rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run against the San Francisco Giants during the second inning at Citi Field on September 04, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Caean Couto/Getty Images) GettyCHICAGO, ILLINOIS – AUGUST 22: Francisco Alvarez #4 of the New York Mets fields a ground bunt during the sixth inning against the Chicago White Sox at Rate Field on August 22, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Geoff Stellfox/Getty Images) GettyPHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – JULY 16: Francisco Alvarez #4 of the New York Mets reacts after the game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on July 16, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Mets defeated the Phillies 4-1. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) GettyFrancisco Alvarez remains the New York Mets‘ catcher heading toward the 2027 MLB season, whenever it actually gets to start after a conceptual lockout.First, he’s getting some baseball work in playing for a different team this winter.In some parts of the world, baseball is a year-round endeavor — and one particularly potent during the winter in Latin America.It’s such a notable thing that MLB players will head south and play “winter ball.”That’s what Alvarez is doing right now.Francisco Alvarez in Winter BallGettyCHICAGO, ILLINOIS – AUGUST 22: Francisco Alvarez #4 of the New York Mets fields a ground bunt during the sixth inning against the Chicago White Sox at Rate Field on August 22, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Geoff Stellfox/Getty Images)
Alvarez, a native of Venezuela, is currently playing in the Venezuelan Winter League.He’s suiting up for Magallanes.It’s actually the first time recorded on record that Alvarez has suited up in a winter league since becoming a pro, so it’s notable.It’ll be an interesting question to ask Alvarez down the road — he likely hoped to accomplish something this winter by heading to Venezuela.Through Nov. 8, Alvarez has played nine games. He’s off to a cold start. Alvarez is hitting 6-for-28 (.214 average) with a .674 OPS. He has one home run and six RBI. He has walked five times and struck out nine times.Given that Alvarez likely has a stronger reason for this pursuit this winter, the stats may not be that important. It could be more about what he can improve upon in the meantime.Francisco Alvarez FutureGettyPHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – JULY 16: Francisco Alvarez #4 of the New York Mets reacts after the game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on July 16, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Mets defeated the Phillies 4-1. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
Alvarez remains under contract with the Mets through the 2029 season.He’ll still have a few more seasons of the arbitration process to go through first, so the Mets can have him as their starting catcher for years to come if they want.Alvarez was once a very high-level prospect, and