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Mets catchers d'Arnaud, Plawecki to try other positions

Benjamin Grimm Dec 05 2015 02:30 PM

This headline sounds like an example of "TMI". I didn't even have any clue that they were having a sexual relationship. Anyway, here's the story: Mets catchers d'Arnaud, Plawecki to try other positions The New York Mets have a unique situation -- they have two young, offensively-strong catchers in Travis d'Arnaud and Kevin Plawecki. Having depth at the catcher position is is a huge strength, especially this time of year where teams are swapping and upgrading their roster. According to assistant general manager John Ricco, the two catchers will see time at other positions in spring training to get them both on the field at the same time. Here's his quote via ESPN: “We’ve had some talk about that, because we have two players we like a lot, and we think they’re going to be good hitters. And we’d love to have them both on the field. But in terms of the specifics of that, we’ll have plenty of discussions with Terry [Collins]. And, ultimately, that will be his decision as to where he plays those guys. But we like both of them, and we’re going to want to try to get them both as much playing time as possible.” d'Arnaud has battled injuries, but flashed some offensive potential, hitting .268 with 12 homers and 41 RBI in 67 games. Plawecki hit just .206 across 73 games in the bigs last season, but has shown he can hit in the minors. He owns a .290/.364/.432 in four minor league seasons. Both catchers are 24 years old and could command a good return on the trade market, but it will be interesting to see what positions the Mets decide to experiment with them.

Zvon Dec 05 2015 07:47 PM Re: Mets catchers d'Arnaud, Plawecki to try other positions

I think d'Arnaud should be working extra hard on his catching, throwing, and blocking from behind the plate before they start moving him all around. Plawecki is a good candidate for another position. But where? I think the Mets have more important things to work out than this. d'Arnaud's going to be our catcher in '16 and until he proves he's not fragile they should keep Plawecki right where he is, backing up Travis.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Dec 05 2015 08:15 PM Re: Mets catchers d'Arnaud, Plawecki to try other positions

They're good hitters... but they're not play-out-of-position good.

Benjamin Grimm Dec 05 2015 08:17 PM Re: Mets catchers d'Arnaud, Plawecki to try other positions

My guess is that it will be harder to find other places to put d'Arnaud or Plawecki if the Mets sign Zobrist and want to maximize the playing opportunities for Zobrist, Wright, Herrera, and Flores. I'm thinking the most likely places for either catcher to get additional playing time would be first base or third base, if it turns out that either of them have any ability at those positions. I suppose that d'Arnaud or Plawecki can get some spot starts at first base if the Mets want to sit Duda against a tough lefty. My guess, though, is that this will be a spring training experiment that doesn't carry over into the regular season, except perhaps in a 16-inning game or something like that.

Edgy MD Dec 05 2015 09:32 PM Re: Mets catchers d'Arnaud, Plawecki to try other positions

It happens regularly enough. You have a good catcher who can hit, you try and get him some turns in another position so he can play once or twice more a month. It works even better if you have a backup you like. Carter did it. Stearns did it (although his career-ending injury spiral began when he hurt his elbow playing third). Even Grote did it. Why not d'Arnaud?

Frayed Knot Dec 05 2015 10:12 PM Re: Mets catchers d'Arnaud, Plawecki to try other positions

Zvon wrote: I think the Mets have more important things to work out than this. I think this is exactly what they should be doing. Not to find positions for either of these guys instead of catching. But if either/or could be comfortable enough to just play once in a while at 1B while Duda sits vs a LHP, or for Grandy or Conforto in one of the corner OF spots, or to give David a breather at 3rd then it opens up the bench to all kinds of possibilities.

MFS62 Dec 06 2015 08:59 AM Re: Mets catchers d'Arnaud, Plawecki to try other positions

Edgy MD wrote: It happens regularly enough. You have a good catcher who can hit, you try and get him some turns in another position so he can play once or twice more a month. It works even better if you have a backup you like. Carter did it. Stearns did it (although his career-ending injury spiral began when he hurt his elbow playing third). Even Grote did it. Why not d'Arnaud? Craig Biggio certainly did it. And Joe Torre (proving you don't have to be smart to play first base) And Rico Carty. Later

Mex17 Dec 12 2015 02:27 AM d'Arnaud and Plawecki at other positions

With this Cuddyer thing going down, I think that it just became a lot more likely that they are going to carry Monell as a third catcher and try to use Plawecki and maybe d'Arnaud at first base and possibly leftfield as well during the season. Catchers moving into other positions certainly is not unusual. Off the top of my head I can think of three Hall of Famers who have done it (Berra/Bench/Biggio). Brian Downing was not a Hall of Famer, but he was a solid player that I remember from childhood who made the switch from catcher to leftfield. Ironically, I was just watching "Moneyball" last night which contained the depiction of Scott Hatteberg (played by "Star Lord" himself Chris Pratt) making the move to first base. The problem is that, for some reason, when the Mets try something like this disaster usually ensues. Todd Hundley in the outfield was not pretty. Piazza moving to first was a drama queen soap opera. Even with non catchers, trying Murphy and Duda in the outfield proved to be failures. So, the question is, how likely is it that they can get two catchers to pick up two additional positions starting in early January (if they are both willing to come into Florida that early. . .and how early is feasible considering that you probably have to ask coaches to come in early as well) and have them ready for Opening Day? Do you try with both at the same time or choose one over the other? Or do you choose one additional position over the other or can you try to get one or both to get competent in two in addition to their regular Spring Training work as catchers?

Lefty Specialist Dec 12 2015 05:49 AM Re: d'Arnaud and Plawecki at other positions

Well, better d'ArPlaw at first than Eric Campbell Part II. I would favor Travis over there- he's had his bell rung a few times and I think he needs some time away from the grind behind the plate.

RealityChuck Dec 12 2015 07:02 AM Re: d'Arnaud and Plawecki at other positions

With Cuddy gone, it would make sense to have either or both learn the position just in case.