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Atlanta Braves: Best catcher options in 2020 and the impact on 3B and SP

By Seth Carter

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - MAY 02: Tyler Flowers #25 of the Atlanta Braves attempts to stop the throw at home as Manny Machado #13 of the San Diego Padres scores on a RBI single hit by Wil Myers #4 in the fifth inning at SunTrust Park on May 02, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - MAY 02: Tyler Flowers #25 of the Atlanta Braves attempts to stop the throw at home as Manny Machado #13 of the San Diego Padres scores on a RBI single hit by Wil Myers #4 in the fifth inning at SunTrust Park on May 02, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – APRIL 26: Freddie  Freeman #5 of the Atlanta Braves scores a run in front of Travis  d’Arnaud #18 of the New York Mets during the first inning at Citi Field on April 26, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Adam Hunger/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – APRIL 26: Freddie  Freeman #5 of the Atlanta Braves scores a run in front of Travis  d’Arnaud #18 of the New York Mets during the first inning at Citi Field on April 26, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Adam Hunger/Getty Images) /

Tier 2

Travis d’Arnaud

d’Arnaud is a former 37th overall pick with a strong defensive profile. His career has been defined by injuries.

In 2012 he partially tore his PCL, in 2013 he suffered a broken foot, and in 2014 he required elbow surgery to repair a bone spur that broke off on a throw to second base.

The next year he suffered a broken hand, and then the following year it was his rotator cuff.

The icing on top of the cake is a 2017 Tommy John surgery.

d’Arnaud was once believed to be the catcher of the future for the Mets. He was once the building block the Mets received in exchange for R.A. Dickey.

Those hopes officially ended prior to last season when the Mets designated him for assignment on April 28.

d’Arnaud ended up spending his 2019 season with the Tampa Bay Rays and revived his career in the Gulf with 16 HRs, 67 RBI in only 351 Abs.

He posted a line of .263/.323/.459. Those are pretty good offensive numbers for a guy who is better known for his defense.

Projected to receive about $7 million per year, d’Arnaud would present a great value if he stays healthy.

If he can be had at $7 million, he would be a nice fit with Moustakas, but that will still only allow for a lower-level pitcher.

It would almost all but rule out guys like Wheeler, Ryu, and Bumgarner. This would leave us more in the range of a Dallas Keuchel or Cole Hamels.

When healthy, d’Arnaud is a force in the lineup and behind the plate. He would pair nicely with Tyler Flowers.

The sacrifice at pitcher would demand Soroka maintain his level of performance and either Folty bounces back to form or Fried takes the next step (preferably both).

The defensive presence d’Arnaud brings could help facilitate that growth with the Braves’ young pitching staff.

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