The former Mets catcher became one of the first shoes to drop in MLB free agency this winter, signing a two-year, $12 million contract with the Los Angles Angels on Tuesday.
D’Arnaud, 36, became a free agent earlier this month after the Braves declined a one-year, $8 million option for the 2025 season
Travis d’Arnaud, the former New York Mets catcher, has signed a one-year, $12 million contract with the Los Angeles Angels, marking the latest chapter in a career that has seen its fair share of ups and downs. D’Arnaud, who turns 35 in February, joins the Angels after a season spent with the Atlanta Braves, where he had a strong performance both offensively and defensively. The deal with the Angels comes at an opportune time for both the veteran catcher and the team, as the Angels are looking to shore up their lineup and find stability behind the plate.
**A Career of Resilience and Rediscovery**
D’Arnaud’s journey through Major League Baseball has been a testament to perseverance. Initially a top prospect in the Toronto Blue Jays system, he was part of the high-profile trade that sent R.A. Dickey to Toronto in exchange for a package that included d’Arnaud. However, injuries have been a recurring theme throughout his career. D’Arnaud’s major league debut in 2013 with the Mets showed glimpses of his potential, but injuries limited his impact early on. Despite these setbacks, d’Arnaud remained a key contributor for the Mets over several seasons, showcasing his ability to both handle pitchers and contribute offensively when healthy.
In 2019, after being traded to the Tampa Bay Rays, d’Arnaud’s career took an unexpected turn. He enjoyed a breakout season, producing an offensive resurgence that earned him a role as the Rays’ primary catcher. The following year, he signed with the Atlanta Braves, where he would experience more success, particularly in the 2021 season, when he helped the Braves to a World Series title. Though his regular-season numbers were solid, his contributions in the postseason—both defensively and with the bat—cemented his reputation as a clutch player in high-stress situations.
**The Angels’ Need for Stability**
For the Angels, the signing of d’Arnaud is an effort to stabilize the catcher position, which has been a weak spot in their lineup for some time. While they’ve cycled through a variety of catchers in recent years, they’ve struggled to find consistency. The Angels’ front office, led by general manager Perry Minasian, is clearly looking to surround their star players—most notably Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout—with reliable contributors at every position.
D’Arnaud’s signing offers several benefits to the Angels. First and foremost, he brings an experienced and reliable defensive presence behind the plate. His framing ability and rapport with pitchers are among his strongest assets, and that can be invaluable for a pitching staff that has faced challenges in recent seasons. In addition, his bat, while not prolific, offers solid offensive production. In 2023, d’Arnaud posted a respectable .249 batting average with an OPS of .720, providing the Braves with a competent middle-of-the-order bat. His ability to handle a variety of pitchers and stay healthy for a full season has been a positive development in recent years, and this reliability is something the Angels hope to capitalize on.
**A Bridge to the Future**
At 35, d’Arnaud’s contract with the Angels is likely a short-term solution, but one that could help the team in their ongoing search for postseason contention. The Angels, as they face the uncertainty surrounding Ohtani’s free agency, are eager to make significant strides in the coming seasons. Adding d’Arnaud adds veteran depth to a team that has been marred by inconsistency in recent years.
For d’Arnaud, this contract represents an opportunity to continue his productive career with a competitive team. If he can stay healthy and perform at the level he showed in Atlanta, he will not only be a steady presence behind the plate but also a crucial contributor to the Angels’ hopes of returning to the playoffs. The decision to sign d’Arnaud for $12 million speaks to the team’s faith in his ability to provide stability while also bolstering their chances in 2024. In the end, this move could prove to be one of the more under-the-radar signings of the offseason, offering both the Angels and d’Arnaud a chance for success.
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