EXPECTATIONS FOR 18: Travis d'Arnaud

[Edgy MD]

I've been traded off, written off, jerked off, carried off, tossed off, knocked off, dropped off, and felled by a nasty cough.

I've had my moments, but never put together a full quality season. But now that my buddy Plawecki has caught up to me, we both spent the butt end of the season hitting everything in sight.

Maybe that was feasting on September pitching, or maybe it was something more. I'm a young vet now, and I'm looking as always to establish myself as a staff-carrying big league catcher. You laugh, but I've been through a lot. And maybe I'd sock 'em out like Gary Sanchez if I played in a Little League Park like him. You think about that, wise guy?

What do you think about? More importantly, what do you think about me? About my 2018? I want to know.

[fimg=380]http://www.newyorkmetsreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Travis_d_Arnaud_1280_hruxg3f2_abqpl9cz.jpg[/fimg] [fimg=320]http://a.espncdn.com/photo/2016/0517/r84058_600x400_3-2.jpg[/fimg]
[fimg=300]http://assets.nydailynews.com/polopoly_fs/1.1810999.1401426419!/img/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/article_970/minsider30s-1-web.jpg[/fimg] [fimg=400]http://a.espncdn.com/photo/2014/0607/ny_u_trav_cr_576x324.jpg[/fimg]

It ain't all been about fractures and muscle tears, man. In between those (and, admittedly, a few prolonged slumps) I've played a little ball.

U4e0bK6N_fI

[bmfc1]

"I've been jerked off". Wow, I didn't expect such details. I guess it's a perk of being a pro ballplayer.

[nymr83]

Its the All-star break. The Mets are raking, but Harvey and Matz both suck bhmc and the Mets need a legit #3 behind cy young contenders Syndergaard and deGrom, but never fear! The Mets have an abundance of riches with Plawecki and dArnaud both smashing the ball and staying healthy. Trade bait!

[A Boy Named Seo]

I think this might be Travis' career year, but not by much, and I sadly predict this will be the best year of his career. He will still see time on the shelf for this bruise or that knock, but he'll surpass his career best in PA (> 421) and drives in a career high 63 rib eye steaks, while falling just short of 20 homers.

[smg58]

Like a lot of Mets, he had what appears to be an unlucky BABIP last year (.250). I'll be bullish and go with a .260/.340/.460 line and 23 home runs in 480 AB.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

I'll sign up for 23 homers. I always thought that he could be a batting average guy for a catcher, more doubles than homers and a good amount of walks but, I dunno, he seems almost too possessed of poor CAHNfidence to truly be an elite weapon.

I'll say 16-65 265/330/420

[batmagadanleadoff]

I hope he kicks his wrist a lot better than he cooked his wrist last year. Travis has the potential to be the catcher with the best wrist-crock technique in all of baseball.

Can't wait till we get to expectations for Kevin Plawecki.

[Guest d'Kong76]

Injured early on and can't work his way back into the lineup again. Sayonara.

[Zvon]

Some are saying that Plawecki will be the #1 Catcher. I can't see that no matter what kinda spring he has.

Barring injury: 122 games, 25 doubles, 18 HR, 62 ribbies. And I stop yelling at him cause he stops most balls in the dirt to the left and right of him. Throws out his fair share too.

[ashie62]

Travis d"Arnaud & Mike Plawecki share the job about equally.

d'Arnaud hits 14 HRS .278 AVG with 289 AB'S, one stint on the DL.

He is a Met at the end of the season.

[Ceetar]

Travis does poorly in the new statcast pop metrics. We're talking mere fractions of a second of course, but he's slower than most. But we knew that, it's his framing we like.

d'Arnaud wasn't a liability last year, but that's about the best you can say about it. 91 wRC+ ain't great.

I think with a new staff and what not, maybe he gets a few more walks and drives a few more balls, but I'm not predicting him breaking out or anything.

105 games, 7 BB%, 16 K%, .255/.310/.455 for about 1.5 fWAR

[Centerfield]

Will be the same as he always has. Perform at career norms, gets hurt for a stretch. No one will care because it's the Kevin Plawecki Breakout Year.

Gets a bit hit for us in the World Series.

[ashie62]

I've gone three years thinking Plawecki's name was Mike

[nymr83]

Where is the Plawecki thread?

Oh well, I will just leave this here to taunt Travis then!

http://www.espn.com/video/clip?id=22783509

[Zvon]

Nymr83 wrote: Where is the Plawecki thread? Oh well, I will just leave this here to taunt Travis then! http://www.espn.com/video/clip?id=22783509

I saw that yesterday. Niiiiiice! Great play by Plaw.

During the season I'd expect the runner to be a little more aggressive in his slide, but I have to give Mattman some credit for really moving his ass. Played perfectly by both.