If all goes well in 2015, the Mets will have complete faith in handing the keys to the car to Travis D’Arnaud, who they acquired along with Noah Syndergaard in the R.A. Dickey trade.
D’Arnaud showed some big improvements in the second half after an atrocious start to the 2014 campaign, and it’s not secret that he can hit. One question that’s always loomed is whether or not he can stay healthy, and the Mets are hopeful he could be the most complete catcher they’ve had since Mike Piazza left town.
One of their more highly touted prospects is Kevin Plawecki, a 23-year-old catcher who was drafted in the first round of the 2012 Amateur Draft.
He started the 2014 season with Binghamton, where he hit .326 with six home runs and 43 RBI in 224 at-bats.Plawecki was selected to play for the U.S. Team in the 2014 All-Star Futures Game, along with Syndergaard. On June 24, the Mets promoted Plawecki to the Las Vegas 51s of the Class AAA Pacific Coast League.
If D’Arnaud pans out, I think Plawecki may be trade bait for that big shortstop we’ve been missing, unless Wilmer Flores breaks out. Think about it, where is there to go? You can’t move him to first base because of Lucas Duda’s emergence. He won’t play the middle infield. David Wright will be at third until the apocalypse. The only other option is for him to replace either Michael Cuddyer or Curtis Granderson when their contracts expire.
Here’s what I would do. Let Plawecki sit in Triple-A. He’s not a backup MLB catcher. He needs to play everyday. Keep an eye on the Colorado Rockies. If they have a slow start, and the Mets start out strong, Plawecki could be a key piece to an eventual Troy Tulowitzki deal. Imagine getting Tulo without giving up Noah Syndergaard? I think Plawecki could make that a reality if he breaks through.
Here’s the offer: Plawecki, Montero, Flores, Gee for Tulo and 30 million.
If all pans out right, Colorado would consider it, and the Mets would finally get that shortstop that can be a difference maker, something that’s been lacking since Jose Reyes left town.
What would you do with Plawecki? Tell us in the comments section below.
