Cubs DFA Darwin Barney, trade him to Dodgers 7/28

[JohnBriggs12]

The Cubs have DFA'd Darwin Barney. Barney's not all that bad offensively vs. LHP: .267 BA and .700 OPS career vs. Lefties. This year he's hitting .293 vs. lefties. For those looking to dump Weeks, keep in mind, he's much better defensively than Rickie too and can also play SS. He's picked it up lately too, going 15 for 39 in July.

[bjkrautk]

Not even Darwin could survive and thrive in Wrigleyville.

[torts]

COME TO PAPPA!

[jerichoholicninja]

Lefty starters come up so infrequently I would rather just put a guy on the field that can hit than Barney. Rickie is at least a hitting threat off the bench too. Barney would just add another wet newspaper to the late game offense.

[Warning Track Power]

I'd rather have Barney than Bianchi and Weeks in 2015, assuming those are our options. Additionally, if the Brewers think Scooter needs a RH 2B platoon mate post-2014 when Weeks is gone, a career .267/.319/.700 against LHP with Gold Glove D, isn't too shabby.

[folly412]

No-brainer over Bianchi and Falu. Comparing just with Weeks' role over the next 3 months? Tougher call. Can see how the flexibility potentially saves a roster spot, just think we're so far away from having the requisite depth to use the roster spot in another way that nets a positive.

[Funketown]

How well does Barney handle the rest of the infield? It looks like he at least has some history playing SS and 3B, so given his decent career numbers against LHP (wRC+ is 89) that sounds like a nice addition to the infield.

[homer]

They just played Baez at 2nd a few days ago.

[JohnBriggs12]

How well does Barney handle the rest of the infield? It looks like he at least has some history playing SS and 3B, so given his decent career numbers against LHP (wRC+ is 89) that sounds like a nice addition to the infield.

 

Barney's natural position is SS. He moved to 2B to accommodate Castro. He was a better hitter in 2011, when the Cubs had a little better lineup that included Ramirez, Soriano, and Byrd.

[Bombers]

So trade for Byrd and pickup Barney and get the Cubs band back together I guess

[monty57]

So trade for Byrd and pickup Barney and get the Cubs band back together I guess

 

I hear Soriano's available as well.

[igor67]

Strictly on talent and production Barney would be an upgrade on Bianchi for sure. At such a low cost I'd make the move instead of trying to find a trading partner for someone else. An upgrade in the hand is worth 2 possible deals at the deadline.

[brewmann04]

Yes make the move even if its a slight upgrade

[Fear The Chorizo]

Another Cub to keep an eye one would be Bonafacio...just off the DL and basically showcasing that he's healthy again before the Cubs trade him, I believe he's a switch hitter who can play practically anywhere on the field. Streaky hitter for sure, but IMO he'd be a good piece to add to the Brewers bench and still get close to full-time player ABs with how many positions he can back up.

 

Might be too many teams interested in him and someone will end up overpaying for his services the rest of this year in a trade.

[Funketown]

On the downside, Darwin Barney sounds like a kid who has had his lunch money stolen about 359 times in the past year.

[TooLiveBrew]

Selfishly I want to see him go to Boston if he isn't picked up by the Brewers. That name... in that accent... it's a dream come true.

[folly412]

Acquired by the Dodgers.

 

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2014/07/dodgers-acquire-darwin-barney.html

[trwi7]

Selfishly I want to see him go to Boston if he isn't picked up by the Brewers. That name... in that accent... it's a dream come true.

 

I consider myself a pretty good impersonator of a Boston accent, so now I'm going to spend the rest of the day saying Dahwin Bahney.

[monty57]

Another Cub to keep an eye one would be Bonafacio...just off the DL and basically showcasing that he's healthy again before the Cubs trade him, I believe he's a switch hitter who can play practically anywhere on the field. Streaky hitter for sure, but IMO he'd be a good piece to add to the Brewers bench and still get close to full-time player ABs with how many positions he can back up.

 

Might be too many teams interested in him and someone will end up overpaying for his services the rest of this year in a trade.

 

The Cubs cut Barney to make room for Bonifacio, so I'm not sure what their plans are for him. If they were planning on trading him away soon, I'd think they'd have held on to Barney.

 

Cub fans are starting to get antsy about their long-term rebuilt project. It wouldn't surprise me to see them land Price in trade and extend him. In that case, they may want to toss a couple year extension at Bonifacio, who has been pretty good for them, and could help bridge the gap as their position prospects start to get to the majors.

[brewer1]

Barney has been traded to the Dodgers.....