Grin and Barrett
Today's trade of Michael Barrett to the Padres was not exactly a suprise. Even before the justly-infamous scuffle with Carlos Zambrano, there were indications that Barrett was not long for the club.
Barrett was never considered a defensive whiz behind the plate, but I didn't think he was truly horrible, as many other Cub Fans did. Plus, the guy could hit a little bit. Not like Johnny Bench, but after years of Damian Miller, Benito Santiago, Hank White, and Todd Hundley, it looked pretty good.
Unfortunately, Barrett's game took several steps backward this year. His defense was getting close to that truly horrible level, and he wasn't hitting enough to make up for it.
Was he pressing because of his impending free agency? Had he started the decline phase of his career? Or were the previous two years flukes?
I'm not smart enough to tell. But, as any critic could tell you, he wasn't playing well, and if we're going to have any chance to get back in contention we need an upgrade behind the plate.
Alas, we didn't get an upgrade. Forgive me for being underwhelmed by Rob Bowen. We've already got Koyie Hill on the roster, and Hank on the DL. So by my count, that gives us three back-up catchers. Which still leaves us one catcher short.
Maybe it will turn out to be addition by subtraction. I'm not holding my breath, though.
One more thing: if the Padres win the NL West, look for one of Chicago's finest pundits to craft a "Why did the Cubs trade this guy away for nothing" column. On second thought, keep an eye out for that column if Barrett has a good week in San Diego before the All-Star Break...
Barrett was never considered a defensive whiz behind the plate, but I didn't think he was truly horrible, as many other Cub Fans did. Plus, the guy could hit a little bit. Not like Johnny Bench, but after years of Damian Miller, Benito Santiago, Hank White, and Todd Hundley, it looked pretty good.
Unfortunately, Barrett's game took several steps backward this year. His defense was getting close to that truly horrible level, and he wasn't hitting enough to make up for it.
Was he pressing because of his impending free agency? Had he started the decline phase of his career? Or were the previous two years flukes?
I'm not smart enough to tell. But, as any critic could tell you, he wasn't playing well, and if we're going to have any chance to get back in contention we need an upgrade behind the plate.
Alas, we didn't get an upgrade. Forgive me for being underwhelmed by Rob Bowen. We've already got Koyie Hill on the roster, and Hank on the DL. So by my count, that gives us three back-up catchers. Which still leaves us one catcher short.
Maybe it will turn out to be addition by subtraction. I'm not holding my breath, though.
One more thing: if the Padres win the NL West, look for one of Chicago's finest pundits to craft a "Why did the Cubs trade this guy away for nothing" column. On second thought, keep an eye out for that column if Barrett has a good week in San Diego before the All-Star Break...
posted by Bob at
9:24 PM
1 Comments:
well, barrett didn't do a whole lot in his debut---3 guys stole on him, a passed ball and no hits ---I think a have that right. anyhow, some of the sports talk shows think that he is a jerk---oh yes, he was traded 'cause he (or his peeps) leaked the players' only club house meeting info.
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Anonymous, at 8:44 AM
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