10
2013
From Left Field: Give Travis d’Arnaud A Chance In The Bigs Right Away
An article by 
To turn attention away from Mike Piazza and the Hall of Fame vote for just a minute, let’s discuss the future Mike Piazza, or so we hope.
The Mets acquired Travis d’Arnaud, their catcher of the future, in the trade that sent R.A. Dickey to the Toronto Blue Jays.
But why can’t the future be right now?
d’Arnaud said he’s ready to play and recovered from a knee injury that ended his minor league season early last year.
All indications point to d’Arnaud starting the 2013 campaign in the minors. That’s fine, but there’s no need to extend his stay just so he can get “seasoning.”
The Mets likely want to have him start in the minors in order to delay his eventual free agency as well as adjust to his new surroundings. If he spends the first 20 days of this season in the minors, his free-agent clock will start in 2014, rather than this year.
But once that day passes, I’d really like to see the 24-year-old catching prospect in the Majors.
The best way to gain experience in the big leagues is to actually play in the big leagues. I’m all about making sure a prospect is ready, but from everything I’ve read on d’Arnaud, he’s ready.
Especially if the team won’t be too competitive this season, I’d rather see d’Arnaud struggle to find his way so that he’s ready for 2014, when the team has more financial flexibility to improve the roster.
But who knows? Maybe the kid bursts onto the scene and takes positive strides this season. We won’t ever know unless he’s given the chance.
The Mets are also weary of starting d’Arnaud in the bigs right away because the organization wants the catcher to develop chemistry with top pitching prospect Zack Wheeler.
Well, just like I believe d’Arnaud should be in the bigs as soon as possible, that’s how I feel about Wheeler. Give the young guys a shot, and they can develop chemistry together at Citi Field, rather than Las Vegas.
So the plan should be to let them both spend the necessary 20 days in the minors for free agency purposes, and then once they’re available, bring them up in May.
If the organization doesn’t have the money to bring in star players, at least it can give the fans a feel for what they have to look forward to in the coming seasons.
No offense to John Buck, but he’s not exactly a guy who fills up a stadium. But d’Arnaud playing regularly on the other hand may get the fanbase excited.
The sooner d’Arnaud and Wheeler crack the roster, the sooner the Mets will reveal their long-term identity.
About the Author: Jim Mancari
Jim Mancari hails from Massapequa, N.Y. He recently earned a Master's degree in Journalism at Hofstra University. He is a devout Mets fan and takes pride in his team, despite their lack of success over the last few years. Like all Mets fans, Jim has plenty of hope. He also writes as the sports reporter for the Brooklyn Tablet newspaper and the senior editor of metroBASEBALL Magazine. Click my name to view my personal website.
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NL East Standings
| Team | W | L | Pct. | GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Braves | 23 | 18 | .561 | - |
| Nationals | 23 | 19 | .548 | 0.5 |
| Phillies | 20 | 22 | .476 | 3.5 |
| Mets | 16 | 23 | .410 | 6.0 |
| Marlins | 11 | 31 | .262 | 12.5 |
Last updated: 05/18/2013
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Jim, i am sure if bringing him up is the best thing early, While i agree on the people wanna see the kids stuff, you also gotta be careful, baseball it’s not only a numbers game as it is mental too, what if he gets hurt again? Or if he’s struggles? Then what? send him back to the minors then what? this season is done with, bring him late september or mid july (Which is when i expect the mets to be eliminated from playoffs contention) to see what he’s got, other than that, leave wheeler and him in triple A to get as good as they can, and don’t bring them up unless they are killing the competition in the minors
Yeah, it would be good for him to start getting going, considering the alternative is a Buck/Recker combo, but I can’t see the Mets starting the clock on TDA (or Wheeler, for that matter) until May/June so they avoid any Super 2 status. Now, if the OF was stocked with some boppers, the BP was looking good and all that was needed was the C, then I could see rushing the talent to fill the spot. But, this team isn’t there yet so there should be no rushing of anyone at this point.
“But, this team isn’t there yet so there should be no rushing of anyone at this point.”
Agreed.
I agree on D’Arnaud and disagree with Wheeler.
Start TDA in Vegas and call him up May 1. I think it wise for the organization to protect that extra year of control (just like the Nats did with Harper). The idea of holding him off until July so he doesnt fall into the early arbitration is stupid because if this kid pans out, he should have a long term deal by then.
As for Wheeler, I would let him pitch a couple months in AAA. He wasnt that effective to end the year plus there are some things to work on. Another problem with bringing pitchers up in this day and age is the inning count. Since teams are intent on adhering to the 30 inning increase, that means Wheeler is a 170 inning pitcher. The minor league season starts a bit later than the majors so Wheeler might be moved back a few starts which will give him an extra 15 innings or so when he does get to the big leagues. Also, pitching in Vegas actually will be good for him since it is a hitters mecca. Success there will translate into major league success because he will have to be as fine as he is with major league hitters. People will say that he gave up cheap hrs on good pitches. Well guess what? Big league hitters get hrs on good pitches. Success at the level requires making excellent pitches consistently.
Finally, I dont buy into the idea of needing TDA and Wheeler work together and have their development coincide. They are professional ballplayers. TDA should have Wheeler down after a few games of catching him. If you are telling me that TDA can figure out Wheeler’s stuff after 34 or 5 games, then he doesnt belong in the majors to begin with. And if you are having TDA down in Vegas to work with Wheeler, that is time he isnt with Harvey, a pitcher anticipated to be in the rotation for a long time. Or Niese, one who is already a long term foundational piece. Or Gee who might be there for a number of years.
Start TDA in Vegas coming out of ST and then May 1 (or 15th the latest) move him up to NY and send Recker (or whatever his name is) down. From that point on, let TDA start with Buck as mentor and backup. Move Wheeler up based upon his progress later in the summer. By that time, TDA might have an idea of some of the league since he will have caught games against them and could actually help Wheeler instead of both being wide eyed newbies.
Dont call him up before May 1 and only if he’s hitting breaking pitches at a good clip. Ideally I’d love to see him and Wheeler come up together and debut in the same game. That would be intense!
The guy’s been in the minors for 5 years, not one or two. He ain’t learning anything mre down there. Plus, he’ll be hitting in Vegas where he can only learn bad habits. The only reson to start him in the minors is for 16 days to own him for an additional year. Sounds like he is very over rated since everyone is afraid to put him in AAAA ball, I mean the Mets.
I’m curious what they’ll do with Wheeler. Read somewhere that they weren’t too happy about him having to pitch in Vegas….
As far as D’Arnaud…if he’s fully recovered from that injury, I suspect he’ll only spend the minimum time at AAA to push his clock back another year. Once that time frame is up (3 weeks?) I bet they call him up.
These kind of discussions are better served once these young players get to wet their feet in spring training with the big club. Most of the players have the skills but are they ready in terms of maturity? Some will need more success in AAA to feed the confidence level needed.
Look at Matt Harvey. He was terrific in most of his starts here last year but never looked uncomfortable on the mound even in the few games where his command was oiff.
All young pitchers will have some bumpy roads but some handle it better than others. Look at Mike Pelfrey!
If TAD is healthy…he will be with the team on opening day!
“The Mets likely want to have him start in the minors in order to delay his eventual free agency as well as adjust to his new surroundings. ”
wasnt he injured last year?
lets take our time with the kid…id rather see him play half a season in AAA and brought up along with Wheeler in August…
knowing the wilpons, they will look at marketing first, common sense a distant 2nd…and basically look at attendance records as the indicator when to bring wheeler and travis up…