Paulino's Absence Means Good Things For Nickeas

Mike Nickeas

This might be Mike Nickeas' best chance of making the big league club, and it's all thanks to the United States Bureau of Consular Affairs.

Ronnie Paulino, the catcher whom the Mets signed this offseason, has been absent from camp since Spring Training began due to Visa issues stemming from 50-game drug suspension when he was with the Marlins.

Paulino has said that he will not be able to get to camp until next week at the earliest.

He was signed to be a back up to starting catcher, Josh Thole. The problem with this, however, is that Paulino hasn't been around to catch anybody.

What does this mean for Nickeas? It means this is his time to show management and everyone else that he belongs.

He doesn't have much power, but he does have patience at the plate which will serve him well. He's also a pretty decent catcher.

He's also been around since day one this Spring. He's been there to catch the different pitchers. He's also been able to create a rapport with them. This is something Paulino has yet to do, for obvious reasons.

If Paulino ever does make it out of the Dominican Republic, he has to sit out the first eight games of the regular season to complete his suspension.

This is only good news for Nickeas.