It was at least a mite curious when the Dodgers decided to add backstop Travis d’Arnaud over the weekend. There’s additional clarity now to the team’s thinking, as J.P. Hoornstra of the Orange County Register reports.
d’Arnaud joins fellow catchers Austin Barnes and Russell Martin on the active roster in Los Angeles. Some teams go with three receivers, at least for stretches, but it doesn’t appear that the Dodgers anticipate giving him much time behind the plate.
Manager Dave Roberts says that the team envisions utilizing d’Arnaud at first base and in left field. It’s a whole new world for the 30-year-old, who has logged exactly nine MLB innings in the field without a mask on. (He appeared briefly at second and third base in 2017.) d’Arnaud also played two games at first base in the minors, but has yet to line up on the outfield grass.
It’ll be interesting to see how this all shakes out. Having an experienced backstop available will help increase Roberts’s flexibility in making late-game decisions, even if the club doesn’t expect to lean heavily on d’Arnaud while he learns a whole new staff. And it’s quite nice to have him on hand as an added depth piece to help account for any injuries.
If d’Arnaud can rediscover his former form with the bat and learn some new positions along the way, he could end up being a rather interesting asset for the Dodgers. If things don’t shake out as hoped over the next several weeks, the club can reassess the health status of A.J. Pollock and scan the trade market if there’s a need for another right-handed bat.
Hopefully, Roberts gives him a shot in the pen.
What am I missing? He’s had exactly one good 270pa season-2015 and LA expects him to be a potential multi-position solid rh bat? Not railing him, just curious what LA “really” sees….
Slave to analytics?
It’s not crazy to think a guy could boost his offensive game if he isn’t catching. I’m sure Friedman sees something there he wants to tweak. There’s very little risk in taking the gamble that he can. Worst case scenario you cut the guy in a couple weeks. The dodgers have had a good time finding trash and making it worthwhile. We’ll see.
why sign him to a MLB deal if your offense is as good as it is and he’s basically a project?
Because the Mets are paying the contract he has aside from the ML minimum the Dodgers pick up.
That ML minimum was being spent on a guy named Matt Beaty who is now back in Oklahoma City. How are they hurting themselves?
Yeah I mean a prorated league minimum deal isn’t a consideration. It’s D’arnaud or some 4A guy they have in AAA. Big deal. If he flops, he flops
So he’s worth a spot on the roster because he comes cheap? Sorry but I have to wonder how this thinking lines up with the concept of winning.
What’s the alternative buddy? Matt Beatty or Edwin Rios? It’s taking a flier for a bench spot. You’re not penciling this guy in 5x a week. If it doesn’t pan out what did it hurt? You aren’t bustling with great options in AAA. That’s a major overreaction for a guy who will play sparingly. It’d be like getting upset about Max Muncy last year. If it works great, if not then you move on.
Since you asked, buddy, yes I’d prefer to have seen Beatty given a longer audition, or maybe use the opportunity to introduce Rios in a situation without a ton of pressure to perform. Those 25-man roster spots are valuable. I’d be surprised if d’Arnaud makes it to the All Star break and if he continues to hit not a lick and makes mistakes playing completely unfamiliar positions, maybe then you will see my point.
You’re getting unnecessarily worked up for taking a flier on a backup. So what if he gets cut by the AS break? Then you call Beatty up then. It’s not as if he’s a versatile defensive wizard himself. He’s a 1B who they’re trying to stick at different positions. The guy put up a 96 WRC+ at AAA. This isn’t Cody Bellinger. Just relax.
IOW, you don’t know how to respond to my actual point.
What is your point? I really don’t know what it it is. That he’s going to blow a game because he isn’t a LF? Beatty isn’t a LFer either if that’s the guy you assume is his replacement so I’m really unsure what you’re getting at. Other than being upset that it’s D’arnaud over Beatty getting the occasional big league start and PH appearance. You’re acting as if the 25 man roster is the most precious thing in the world. Guys go up and down literally every day and this experiment might not last more than a week or two…There’s nothing to get upset about. You’re advocating for two guys who are performing below league average in AAA now. It’s a little ridiculous.
Exaggerate much?
Well, if we read the article, we will discover that Dave would like to implement a 3 catcher system and possibly use this guy at 1st and left field.
Then again, people who want to complain about nothing in particular, will complain about everything that comes their way.
Thank you, Internet. The world is such a great place with you having been invented.
It actually says the opposite of that as far as catching goes. I don’t believe they have any plans of him playing catcher. Barring an emergency situation it seems that they’re going to use him as a part time 1B/LF/PH.
Now, I agree this guy is really just complaining for the sake of complaining. He’s a bench piece on a minimum deal who might not last more than a couple weeks should he not produce. They’ll take a shot and see what happens. No commitments to this move.
I have made specific points, which you could address if you were really serious about discussion. I’ve seen a response to exactly nothing I’ve actually said. So yes, thank you internet.
Bluesky, sorry? Don’t let this business burden you. Have fun BS.
If you have made specific points then I have missed it.
He has had one good season because he is always injured. Staying healthy and consistent at-bats will hopefully help him find his swing again. He has a pretty good prospect pedigree and has shown he can hit MLB pitching. Definitely worth giving him a shot. Especially, since he won’t cost much at all and is solid insurance if Martin gets injured. It’s been a few years since he has played 100 games and has been injured often in the past.
Yes, haha what a joke how many games they have blown so far.
They lead the NL in victories btw
What does that have to do with winning a World Series?
You have to win games to get to the World Series. I would’ve loved to have won one, but it didn’t happen so you just have to keep playing. Makes the one you win that much sweeter.
Very well put.
We all know they will win games it’s about if the bullpen was stronger they could win the World Series it’s really the only weak link.
You can play him wherever you want,he still can’t hit his weight.
Sure he can. Check his stats.
He’s lost weight??
He seems like one of those players that will switch to the mound to extend his playing years.
I’ve watched d’Arnaud play a lot. He’s awful behind the plate, is a low energy player and his plate approach seems to be to foul off or infield fly every fastball or roll over every breaking ball if contact is made at all. He is incapable of adjustments and sticks constantly with the same poor approach. And he’s always hurt.
Highly doubt he strides to the plate with the goal to foul off or pop up every fastball and roll over every breaker. Exaggerate much? If, like you say, he’s incapable of adjustments, why would you expect him to alter his approach? Last one…. If he’s always hurt how did you watch him play a lot? Cant help myself, your contradictions are too glaring…….
So now everyone can learn a new position.
In 5 years from now the hitters and pitchers will be universal
“If d’Arnaud can rediscover his former form with the bat…”
What form is that? Garbage? Lol.
My guess is they’re talking about 2014-2015, when he was an above average hitter
Luckily we have new analytical based hitting instructors that helped Belly change a few things to go from his sophomore slump year, into potential MVP the next. No risk, decent potential reward with d’arnoud…not like the Doyers are paying him more than league minimum anyway.
TDA’s 9 innings at 2b and 3b came from one game – the game where Wilmer Flores & Jose Reyes came up hurt on gameday and they didn’t have any chance to call anyone up, so he started at 3B and switched with 2B Asdrubal Cabrera any time a righty bat came up, to minimize his potential damage.
Relive it with one of the most insane boxscores of the past few years: baseball-reference.com/boxes/NYN/NYN201708160.shtm…
I feel bad for that scorekeeper
With all the shifting going on, especially these days, I’m shocked they bothered to record any position change that didn’t involve a player substitution…
Lol at d’arnaud being a depth piece to account for any injuries…if that’s not irony…
A lot of “ifs”
I still don’t understand this at all. Why do the dodgers need more depth?!?!?! At any position! For the love of god can we please address the bullpen?!?!! Kenley is literally giving up a HR per inning! He’s DONE! Please go over the lux tax and go get Kimbrel! Idc have Julio close like tonight! This bullpen is HORRIBLE!!!!!!! The offense will keep us in any game. The bullpen will blow it! THIS CURRENT BULLPEN WONT WIN IN OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER NO MATTER HOW BAD ROBERTS MISMANAGES IT!!!!!
Please go back on your meds You are losing your pathetic little mind for no freaking reason.
In the bay “beezy” means something very specific. You’re either ripping yourself using that name, or it means something much different where you are from. RIP MD
Wut
How is he “literally giving up a HR per inning” when he’s given up 4 in 17+ IP?
Don’t try to muddy the waters with facts, it doesn’t fit his narrative….
SEAnbeeZy; Slow down big dawg. All those Capitals may hurt that pointer.
Knowing the dodgers, they will probably turn him into Right Handed Max Muncy.
D’arnaurd is 30 already? damn
Maybe LA believes his bat and health will pick up when not focusing on the responsibility of handling a pitching staff. Interesting move, and out of the box thinking.
Jeff, hate to play the grammar cop, but if you use d’Arnaud’s name at the beginning of a sentence the first letter should be capitalized. The d’ is a contraction of the French article “de” so it is not an exception to the convention in English that requires the first letter in a complete sentence to be capitalized (it’s arguable whether any exceptions exist). I wouldn’t bother pointing this out if I thought you didn’t care.
Usually grammar police correct basic stuff like – their, they’re, your, you’re, etc… This was a pretty cool and insightful comment.
It doesn’t matter who the dodgers get. They will end up choking in the playoffs or world series again. Padres will win the division.
And then you woke up
Oh Kenny, playing Nostradamus, you look silly.
Well, good thing is that Barnes and Martin have plenty of experience at other positions if he doesn’t succeed. Won’t be too hard to fill out the lineup. Now if only he could remain healthy….
If the Phightin’s and Blue Jays can trade him for Doc Halladay and RJ Dickey respectively, whats wrong with flipping him for Verlander in July?
Truth & /s/
Having watched him play his entire Mets career, I just shake my head every time I see “if he can regain…”. Those words are the only reason he still has a job. He is terrible AND can’t stay healthy.
Thank you for the morning laugh..i needed it