Mets don't intend to trade Travis d'Arnaud or Kevin Plawecki

The Mets believe they have a pair of young, front-line catchers in Travis d'Arnaud and Kevin Plawecki. But neither will be on the trade market this offseason, partly because d'Arnaud has yet to show he can stay healthy for a full season.

Assistant general manager John Ricco suggested it's possible they could share catching duties next season.

"Catching is, and we've said this many times, a position where you can't have enough depth,'' Ricco said Tuesday at the annual general managers' meetings. "We have two guys who we think are front-line catchers. But I think there's ways for us, especially in the short term, to make use of both of them.''

The Mets also could explore having one play another position, most likely d'Arnaud. Their top decision-makers have yet to discuss it as a group, but there has been growing talk of adding to d'Arnaud's versatility.

Ricco said there is no urgency to make such a switch. But if d'Arnaud stays healthy and Plawecki rounds into the hitter the Mets believe he can be, Ricco said there would be more motivation to explore a position switch.

Throughout his professional career, d'Arnaud, 26, has been dogged by injuries. Between a sprained left elbow and a broken finger, he missed nearly three months. But when healthy, he showed the offensive potential the Mets have long valued.

In 67 games, d'Arnaud hit .268 with 12 homers and 41 RBIs. Despite his struggles in the World Series, when he couldn't control the Royals' running game, the Mets thought he was generally adequate defensively.

"We've got to figure out a way to keep him healthy for the full year,'' Ricco said. "And whether that means giving him more days off a week, whether that means finding a spot on the field for him to play a couple days a week, there's different ways you can go about it.''

Plawecki, 24, played in 73 games, hitting only .219 with three homers and 21 RBIs. But the Mets believe the former first-round pick will mature into a strong offensive player. That's why they view him as a strong hedge against d'Arnaud's health.

Splitting playing time presents complications, namely keeping d'Arnaud's superior bat out of the lineup. Plawecki also could lose out on valuable experience. But Ricco said the Mets also could find themselves vulnerable without a solid backup should d'Arnaud miss large chunks of time with injuries.

For that reason, Ricco said it's possible that Terry Collins could be left trying to strike a balance of playing time.

"Whether we have a position change, or whether we work one of them in, or whether we just go strictly with the two of them catching and split up the time, we'll let Terry do that,'' Ricco said. "I think there's ways to keep both and be effective.''

Notes & quotes: Collins was named a finalist for NL Manager of the Year, along with the Cubs' Joe Maddon and the Cardinals' Mike Matheny . . . Ricco said he expects the minor-league staff to return, including Triple-A manager Wally Backman and Triple-A pitching coach Frank Viola . . . Yoenis Cespedes won the AL Gold Glove in leftfield for his work with the Tigers prior to his trade to the Mets . . . With the Mets expected to contend next year, Ricco said they would not rule out parting with a draft pick to sign the right free agent . . . Ricco did not rule out going "all in'' and making a run at Darren O'Day, the top free-agent reliever on the market. Still, a fit seems unlikely, with O'Day expected to command a closer-level salary.