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[seawolf17]

Vic Sage wrote: l could live with a platoon/rotation of Cabrera, Flores, Reyes and Rivera at 2b/3b next year. They're all useful players with specific strengths and, with Rosario at ss and Smith at 1b, could be a solid IF. And ditto for Cespedes, Conforto and Bruce in the OF (backed up by Lagares and Nimmo), but we definitely need an upgrade at catcher. RRivera is an adequate backup, but this should be it for d'Arnaud. He has move lives than a cat, but how many chances does he get before we move on?

I agree with this, actually. This isn't bad. I don't know what kind of realistic catching options are out there, but it's worth exploring.

[Benjamin Grimm]

I think we'll be hearing about Jonathan Lucroy as we head into free agent season. I don't know if the Mets will be interested, but there will be people advocating for him.

I agree it's time to look past Travis d'Arnaud. Sad, but true. He may eventually thrive elsewhere, but we can't keep waiting for him.

[MFS62]

Travis is having a marginally better year than Lucroy, and neither of them is having a good year.
Travis is in his late 20's, and Lucroy is in his early 30's, approaching an age when many catchers have started a rapid decline.
Not sure if either is a long term solution to the catching situation.
Later

[Benjamin Grimm]

I think the idea is that Lucroy would hold down the fort until Nido is ready.

[Centerfield]

Out of catchers with 200 PA this year, Travis ranks 19th out of 30 in OPS. Couple that with bad defense and his tendency to get hurt, and yeah, I think we have to look to upgrade.

http://www.espn.com/mlb/stats/batting/_/position/c/sort/OPS/minpa/200

The problem is, what else is out there? Lucroy has been worse. Matt Wieters is another one. They are 28 and 29th. Sucko.

[Centerfield]

Benjamin Grimm wrote: I think the idea is that Lucroy would hold down the fort until Nido is ready.

And Nido has a .663 OPS in Binghampton. His career high in HR's is 7.

More sucko!

[Centerfield]

Vic Sage wrote: l could live with a platoon/rotation of Cabrera, Flores, Reyes and Rivera at 2b/3b next year. They're all useful players with specific strengths and, with Rosario at ss and Smith at 1b, could be a solid IF. And ditto for Cespedes, Conforto and Bruce in the OF (backed up by Lagares and Nimmo), but we definitely need an upgrade at catcher. RRivera is an adequate backup, but this should be it for d'Arnaud. He has move lives than a cat, but how many chances does he get before we move on?

Puts a lot of pressure on the OF to carry the offense.

Rosario and Smith have promise, but will need time to develop, if they reach that level at all. Cabrera, Flores, Reyes and Rivera are nice role players, but none are a threat at the plate. Same with any catcher we get. That's 6 spots (including pitcher) where no one scares you.

If you give up power at 1B, a traditionally power-hitting position, then you have to get some from 3B. Slugging 2B and catchers are hard to find.

So basically, Wright has to retire.

[Centerfield]

Or maybe you let Bruce go and sign JD Martinez. Hits for power, walks, plays RF, bats RH. Traded mid-season so no QO.

Mets have money to spend.

[smg58]

d'Arnaud isn't killing us -- some better luck on balls in play, and his betting average would look a lot better (along with his OBP and SLG).

Our outfield is crowded with a lot of players who aren't killing us.

Our infield defense has not been good, but it hasn't killed us. And we've just massively upgraded shortstop, and first base will have at least a defensive upgrade soon.

Three of our big five starters with ERAs over 5, on those occasions when they're healthy enough to pitch? Our bottom-of-the-barrel bullpen, now deprived of its best member? Quite deadly. What do we do about that?

[Edgy MD]

I agree that d'Arnaud isn't killing us.