Travis d'Arnaud's Free Agency Destination Still Uncertain
Braves, Angels Among Teams Interested in Catcher
d'Arnaud has been a valuable asset to the Braves since joining the team in 2021
Travis d'Arnaud's free agency has been one of the most talked about topics this offseason. The 30-year-old catcher is coming off a strong season with the Atlanta Braves, where he hit .262 with 18 home runs and 61 RBIs. He also led all MLB catchers with a 3.2 WAR, according to FanGraphs.
d'Arnaud's agent, Scott Boras, has said that his client is looking for a multi-year deal worth at least $10 million per season. The Braves have expressed interest in re-signing d'Arnaud, but they may not be willing to meet his asking price. The Angels, who are in need of a catcher, have also been linked to d'Arnaud.
d'Arnaud is a two-time All-Star and has been one of the most consistent catchers in baseball over the past few seasons. He is a good hitter, fielder, and game-caller. He would be a valuable addition to any team.
Braves' Interest in d'Arnaud
The Braves are interested in re-signing d'Arnaud, but they may not be willing to meet his asking price. The Braves have a number of other needs to address this offseason, including finding a replacement for Freddie Freeman at first base.
If the Braves are unable to re-sign d'Arnaud, they could turn to other free agent catchers, such as Yan Gomes or Tucker Barnhart. However, d'Arnaud is the best catcher available on the market, and the Braves would be wise to do everything they can to keep him.
Angels' Interest in d'Arnaud
The Angels are in need of a catcher after trading Max Stassi to the Astros earlier this offseason. d'Arnaud would be a significant upgrade over Stassi, and he would give the Angels a much-needed boost behind the plate.
The Angels have a lot of money to spend this offseason, and they could afford to give d'Arnaud the contract he is looking for. However, the Angels have a number of other needs to address, including finding a replacement for Shohei Ohtani in the starting rotation.
If the Angels are unable to sign d'Arnaud, they could turn to other free agent catchers, such as Gomes or Barnhart. However, d'Arnaud is the best catcher available on the market, and the Angels would be wise to do everything they can to get him.