d'Arnaud could make the team out of Spring Training

Yesterday in an interview on WFAN, Sandy Alderson said that the Mets haven't ruled out the possibility of having Travis d'Arnaud on the Opening Day roster. 

"We expect to get a good, long look at him over most of February and the games in March," Alderson said about d'Arnaud. "What happens at the beginning of the season will at least depend in part on how he performs in Spring Training... It would be unfair, given his situation, his level of development to say 'he can't make the team out of Spring Training.' ... I just don't want to rule anything out. At the same time, I don't want to to create false expectations on the part of our fans or any sense of pressure on Travis himself."

Alderson also said that if d'Arnaud makes the team, he will serve as the starting catcher, not the backup. However, if d'Arnaud starts the season in Triple-A, John Buck will become the team's starting catcher until he is ready. d'Arnaud hit .333 with 16 home runs in 279 at-bats in Triple-A last season.

I am very excited to see what d'Arnaud is capable of doing, because he haven't had a decent catcher since the Paul LoDuca days. He has a high ceiling, and Alderson obviously has faith in him despite him undergoing two knee surgeries throughout his short career so far. It wouldn't surprise me if he started the season in the minor leagues despite having a strong Spring Training, because if he stays in Triple-A for the first 20 days of the regular season, he would become under team control through the 2019 season rather than the 2018 season. Also, he has a PCL injury that he is still recovering from, so he perhaps some more seasoning wouldn't hurt. 

Alderson, however, needs to say these kind of things in order to keep his confidence up. If he walks into Spring Training knowing that he isn't going to make the team, who knows if he would give his full effort, and the same goes with Zack Wheeler. Knowing that you have a real shot to make the team may push him that extra mile and help him step up his game, so that is why Alderson is not going any concrete answers at this point in time.