Mets mailbag: Pursuit of J.T. Realmuto likely isn’t over

You ask, we answer. The Post is fielding questions from readers about New York’s biggest pro sports teams and getting our beat writers to answer them in a series of regularly published mailbags. In today’s installment: the Mets. Does Brodie Van Wagenen’s former work relationship with J.T. Realmuto increase the likelihood that the Mets will …

You ask, we answer. The Post is fielding questions from readers about New York’s biggest pro sports teams and getting our beat writers to answer them in a series of regularly published mailbags. In today’s installment: the Mets.

Does Brodie Van Wagenen’s former work relationship with J.T. Realmuto increase the likelihood that the Mets will chase after him in free agency? — Alex A.

The Mets wanted Realmuto in a deal with the Marlins before the 2019 season, so it would be surprising if the team doesn’t pursue the CAA client (Van Wagenen used to co-head the firm’s baseball division) in free agency this upcoming offseason.

Wilson Ramos — who was signed only after it became evident the Mets had moved on from a trade with Miami — could return on a club option for 2021, but Realmuto would represent a clear upgrade at catcher. At this point, Robinson Cano, Jed Lowrie and Michael Wacha are the players with CAA ties Van Wagenen has brought to the Mets. Will any of them work out? Realmuto belongs in a different category than the others — he’s in the prime of his career and the scarcity of quality catchers makes him an appealing option for many clubs.

If and when MLB is able to hold a 2020 baseball season, is this the time to experiment with a National League DH? This would potentially speed up games, make use of more players and let pitchers focus on pitching. — Adam Stave

I’ve wavered over the years on the idea of the DH coming to the National League, but this potential shortened season seems like the right time for a permanent change. And the plan, according to The Post’s Joel Sherman, seems to be to put the DH in the NL, implementing a uniform set of rules throughout MLB.

There are few things as cringe worthy as watching an American League pitcher who hasn’t swung a bat all year come to the plate in an interleague game. And is there anything as infuriating as losing a pitcher to an injury sustained batting or running the bases? Starting pitchers who don’t have to hit can remain in the game longer, a positive for a sport that should embrace keeping Jacob deGrom, Max Scherzer and Stephen Strasburg on the mound over a random reliever.

Is it more likely the Mets dig into free agency to fill their starting rotation needs this upcoming offseason or via the trade market (either trade deadline time or offseason)? — James C.

There are plenty of quality pitching names set to hit free agency this offseason, starting with Trevor Bauer, but also including Robbie Ray, James Paxton, Masahiro Tanaka and Marcus Stroman. The Mets, of course, could extend Stroman before he gets to free agency, but that won’t be easy, especially given the unpredictability of where this season is headed (if MLB starts and has to be shut down without a postseason, that would alter the game’s economic picture). The trade market could be a viable possibility for the Mets provided players such as J.D. Davis and Dominic Smith continue to produce and maintain their value. The Mets aren’t exactly loaded with prospects to trade for starting pitchers.

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Do you think Amed Rosario and maybe a minor league pitcher would be enough to entice the Mariners to return Jarred Kelenic? — Jim O’Brien.

The Mets have a better chance of getting back Nolan Ryan from the Angels for Wayne Garrett and Bob Apodaca.

Are the Mets planning to use David Peterson as a starter later this year if Michael Wacha and/or Rick Porcello are ineffective? — Evan Greenberg.

The left-hander Peterson would be a consideration, but the Mets also aren’t going to rush him given that he hasn’t pitched above Double-A. With it possible the minor league season will be eliminated, Peterson could be added to the Mets bullpen, depending upon the number of players teams are allowed to carry on the major league roster. There isn’t an easy answer as to who is next in line for the rotation. The possibilities also include Walker Lockett, Franklyn Kilome, Thomas Szapucki and Corey Oswalt.

If Jacob deGrom pitched Game 6 of a series, but you could choose any other Mets starter for Game 7, who would be your choice? — @SSackowitz

If Noah Syndergaard were healthy he would easily be the choice (his performance in the 2016 NL wild-card game factors into that equation). Stroman has the next-best stuff behind Syndergaard, but is 1-1 with a 4.40 ERA lifetime in five postseason starts, so maybe? If the game were at Citi Field, I might go with Steven Matz, whose home splits over the past two seasons are solid. Of course, if Porcello or Wacha has a strong rebound season you would consider either of them. In a nutshell, the Mets would love to face such a dilemma after three straight years missing the postseason.