The Tampa Bay Rays made a splash in the 2021 MLB offseason when they acquired catcher Travis D’Arnaud from the New York Mets. After the move, many were wondering how the Rays managed to pull off such a deal.
In this article, we will take a look at how the Rays got Travis D’Arnaud and what it means for their future. We will also discuss some of the factors that led to Tampa Bay making this move and what it could mean for their 2021 season.
The Trade
On May 10, 2019, the Los Angeles Dodgers traded catcher Travis d’Arnaud to the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for cash considerations. The move came just over a month into the 2019 season, as d’Arnaud had struggled to make an impact with the Dodgers in his limited playing time.
d’Arnaud had signed a one-year deal with the Dodgers in the offseason after being released by the New York Mets, but was unable to establish himself as the team’s primary catcher due to the presence of Austin Barnes and Russell Martin.
In 10 games with the Dodgers, d’Arnaud had just five hits in 35 at-bats, with one home run and one RBI.
The Rays, meanwhile, were in need of catching help after losing their starter, Mike Zunino, to injury. The team had already called up Anthony Bemboom and Michael Perez from the minor leagues, but neither player had been able to provide consistent production at the plate.
In d’Arnaud, the Rays saw an experienced catcher with a track record of offensive success. Despite his slow start with the Dodgers, d’Arnaud had been a productive hitter throughout his career, with a .242 batting average, .306 on-base percentage, and .411 slugging percentage in nine seasons with the Mets, Dodgers, and Toronto Blue Jays.
For the Dodgers, the decision to trade d’Arnaud was likely based on a combination of factors. With Barnes and Martin both on the roster, the team had a surplus of catchers, and d’Arnaud’s struggles at the plate made him a logical candidate to be moved.
Additionally, the Dodgers were likely looking to clear roster space and save some money, as d’Arnaud’s contract was worth $3.5 million for the 2019 season.
Overall, the trade appeared to be a win-win for both teams. The Rays were able to acquire a proven major league catcher to help fill the void left by Zunino’s injury, while the Dodgers were able to clear roster space and save some money by moving a player who had not yet found his groove with the team.
D’arnaud’s Role With the Rays
The Tampa Bay Rays were in need of catching help when they acquired Travis d’Arnaud from the Los Angeles Dodgers.
After losing their starting catcher, Mike Zunino, to injury, the team had been struggling to find a consistent offensive presence behind the plate. d’Arnaud, with his proven track record as a hitter, was seen as a potential solution to that problem.
Since joining the Rays, d’Arnaud has become a key contributor to the team’s success. He quickly established himself as the team’s starting catcher, and has been a productive hitter, particularly in clutch situations.
Through the end of the 2021 season, he had a .248 batting average, .320 on-base percentage, and .445 slugging percentage in 217 games with the Rays, with 33 home runs and 105 RBI.
In addition to his offensive contributions, d’Arnaud has also been praised for his work behind the plate.
He has developed a strong rapport with the Rays’ pitching staff, and is known for his ability to call a good game and frame pitches effectively. He has also been praised for his leadership and veteran presence in the clubhouse.
Despite his success with the Rays, d’Arnaud does have some weaknesses as a player. He has a history of injuries, and has missed time in each of the past several seasons due to various ailments.
Additionally, he has struggled with consistency at times, and can be prone to prolonged slumps at the plate.
Overall, however, d’Arnaud’s strengths as a hitter and catcher have made him a valuable asset to the Rays. His ability to contribute offensively from the catcher position has been especially important for a team that has often struggled to generate runs in recent years.
And his veteran leadership and strong defensive skills have helped to solidify the team’s overall performance.
The Impact of D’arnaud’s Go-ahead Home Run Against the Yankees
On July 15, 2019, Travis d’Arnaud had a career night against the New York Yankees, going 3-for-3 with two walks and three home runs, including a go-ahead three-run home run off of Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman in the top of the ninth inning. The home run proved to be the difference in the game, as the Rays went on to win 5-4.
The significance of d’Arnaud’s performance cannot be overstated. The Rays had been trailing for most of the game, and were facing one of the best closers in baseball in Chapman. But d’Arnaud came through in a big way, delivering the clutch hit that his team needed to secure the victory.
The home run had a significant impact on d’Arnaud’s role on the team and his perception by fans. Prior to the game, d’Arnaud had been seen as a solid, if unspectacular, contributor to the Rays’ success. But after his heroics against the Yankees, he quickly became a fan favorite and a key part of the team’s playoff push.
The home run also helped to solidify d’Arnaud’s role as the team’s starting catcher. Prior to the game, there had been some uncertainty about whether d’Arnaud or Michael Perez would be the team’s primary catcher.
But d’Arnaud’s performance that night showed that he was more than capable of handling the job, and he went on to start the majority of the team’s games at catcher for the rest of the season.
Overall, d’Arnaud’s go-ahead home run against the Yankees was a pivotal moment in his career and in the Rays’ season.
It helped to establish him as a key contributor to the team’s success, and solidified his role as the team’s starting catcher. And for Rays fans, it was a moment that will be remembered for years to come.
Travis d’Arnaud’s performance with the Tampa Bay Rays:
| Season | Games Played | Batting Average | Home Runs | RBIs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 92 | .263 | 16 | 67 |
| 2020 | 44 | .263 | 9 | 34 |
| 2021 | 20 | .242 | 4 | 11 |
Title: Travis d’Arnaud’s Performance with the Tampa Bay Rays (2019-2021)
This table shows the number of games played, batting average, home runs, and RBIs for Travis d’Arnaud during his time with the Tampa Bay Rays from 2019 to 2021.
The data shows that d’Arnaud has been a consistent offensive performer for the team, with a batting average of .263 in both 2019 and 2020.
He has also been a productive run producer, hitting 16 home runs and driving in 67 runs in 2019. While the sample size for 2021 is small, d’Arnaud has continued to be a productive player for the Rays in the early part of the season.
FAQ
How did the trade impact the Dodgers?
The trade allowed the Dodgers to clear some space on their roster and acquire some additional funds. While d’Arnaud had been a solid backup catcher for the Dodgers, they had other options available and were able to move on without him.
What was d’Arnaud’s previous experience in the MLB before joining the Rays?
D’Arnaud had previously played for the New York Mets, Toronto Blue Jays, and Los Angeles Dodgers before joining the Rays. He had shown flashes of potential throughout his career, but had struggled with injuries and inconsistency at times.
What are some of d’Arnaud’s strengths as a player?
D’Arnaud is known for his offensive abilities, particularly his power at the plate. He is also a skilled defensive catcher and has a good reputation for working with pitchers and calling games.
What are some of d’Arnaud’s weaknesses as a player?
One of d’Arnaud’s biggest weaknesses is his durability. He has struggled with injuries throughout his career and has not always been able to stay on the field. He also has a tendency to struggle with strikeouts and can be inconsistent at times.
How has d’Arnaud performed since joining the Rays?
D’Arnaud has been a key contributor to the Rays’ success since joining the team. In 2020, he hit .263 with nine home runs and 34 RBIs in 44 games, and played a major role in the team’s run to the World Series. He has continued to be a productive player for the Rays in 2021, hitting .242 with four home runs and 11 RBIs through the first few weeks of the season.
To Recap
Travis d’Arnaud’s trade to the Tampa Bay Rays has been a beneficial move for both the player and the team. The Rays needed a consistent offensive presence at catcher, and d’Arnaud has proven to be just that.
He has also established himself as a leader and veteran presence in the clubhouse, helping to guide the team to success both on and off the field.
D’Arnaud’s impact on the Rays was highlighted by his career night against the Yankees, in which he hit three home runs, including a go-ahead three-run shot in the ninth inning. The performance solidified his role as the team’s starting catcher and helped to establish him as a fan favorite.
While d’Arnaud has some weaknesses as a player, his strengths have far outweighed them during his time with the Rays. He has been a valuable asset to the team, both on and off the field, and his contributions have helped to make the Rays a playoff contender in recent seasons.
Overall, the trade that brought d’Arnaud to the Rays has proven to be a successful move for both the player and the team.
