Barrett traded to the Padres

[Big Lee]

ESPN is reporting that Michael Barrett has been traded to the Padres. Who we got has not been determined as of yet.

[CubsFan23]

I would take Jake Peavy!

[dundeecub]

hope its not bard...

[dundeecub]

gotta love the guy reporting this is called buster...

[dundeecub]

'the Cubs will receive backup catcher Rob Bowen, a minor league pitcher and cash considerations'

[CubsFan23]

Here is the report from ESPN.

Chicago Cubs catcher Michael Barrett was traded to the San Diego Padres on Wednesday, sources told ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney.


Who or what is most to blame for the Cubs' struggles this season?
Michael Barrett
Injuries
Lou Piniella
Carlos Zambrano



In return the Cubs will receive backup catcher Rob Bowen, a minor league pitcher and cash considerations, Olney reported.


Barrett has made headlines this season for arguing with Cubs pitchers in the dugout on two occasions this month and struggling on defense at times this season.

Last week, Lou Piniella said Barrett's playing time would be reduced in the coming weeks, though the Cubs manager said it had nothing to do with Barrett clashing with his teammates.

Barrett was involved in a dugout confrontation, shoving match and then a clubhouse brawl with starter Carlos Zambrano during a game earlier this month, then had what was characterized as a heated discussion with starter Rich Hill in the fourth inning of a June 12 loss to Seattle.

Barrett also was involved in a much-replayed fight with A.J. Pierzynski in a May 2006 interleague game. Barrett landed a punch to the right jaw of Pierzynski after the White Sox catcher ran him over at home plate in what both teams said was a clean play. Barrett later received a 10-game suspension while Pierzynski was fined.

Barrett is hitting .256 with nine home runs and 29 RBIs for the Cubs. San Diego's regular catcher, Josh Bard, is hitting .253 with two homers and 19 RBIs.

Bowen has appeared in 30 games and is hitting .268 (22-82) with two home runs and 11 RBIs. In a recent start June 17 against the Cubs, he went 2-for-4 with a home run.

[dundeecub]

burn on the sun-times for this doozy today:

Lou Piniella said he hasn't thought far enough ahead to know for sure, but he might pair catcher Michael Barrett with right-hander Carlos Zambrano on Friday for the first time since Zambrano punched Barrett in the clubhouse June 1.
Koyie Hill, who has caught Zambrano in all three of the pitcher's starts since then, will start tonight or Thursday, Piniella said, increasing the likelihood that Barrett would open the White Sox series behind the plate Friday.

''I'm not concerned about putting Barrett with Zambrano,'' Piniella said.

[Bockstock]

Didn't SD dump Hernandez to the Orioles before last year???

I guessthey were counting on Bard to step up.

Supposedly it's Barrett + cash for Bowen and a top prospect (Cubs threw in $ to get a better prospect)

[Bockstock]

I would take Jake Peavy!

And punch him in the face:cool:

[CubsFan23]

And punch him in the face:cool:

True. But he is still a helluva pitcher.

Cesar Carrillo (from Chicago) is their top pitching prospect. He is 23. He is currently on the DL. He has not pitched well so far this year.
Jared Wells is supposed to be a top ten prospect in the Padres organization. Other than that I do not see much, but then again I am not a scout.

[BigZ38]

I don't think the Cub's are getting enough. But if we're getting their top prospect then it makes it better. I hate seeing Barrett go. If the Padres are looking for offense I don't know what will happen. He's already struggling and he's going to Petco. And they obviously still don't care about holding baserunners or throwing them out.

[ryno4ever]

If you go to www.670thscore.com (http://www.670thescore.com) you can listen in on the Chicagoland discussion on it for the next couple of hours. I know that Barrett has had a lot of issues...on and off the field, but I really loved his guy's passion for this team.

Some of the things the guys are bringing up on the radio that they want discussions on....

1. Since this is going to free up money, will that mean this will help to sign Big Z to his contract?

2. Was this Lou saying he has to go?

3. Are we going to hurt with Koyle Hill as our everyday pitcher? (offensively)

4. Is this dumping salary to clear up money for a bigger trade coming down the road at the trade deadline?

[ryno4ever]

Wow..can you imagine Barrett's first walk into the Padre's clubhouse after the whole crazy Padres series that took place last weekend at Wrigley?

[ryno4ever]

Is this going to be the "roster move" for Aram to come off the DL to keep Fontenot on the team?

[Bockstock]

If you go to www.670thscore.com (http://www.670thescore.com) you can listen in on the Chicagoland discussion on it for the next couple of hours. I know that Barrett has had a lot of issues...on and off the field, but I really loved his guy's passion for this team.

Some of the things the guys are bringing up on the radio that they want discussions on....

2. Was this Lou saying he has to go?



If you remeber, Floyd/Lee (pretty much the team captains at this point) were pretty pissed off at whoever spilled the beans about the Players only meeting a couple of weeks ago.

If fact, Floyd said something along the lines of whoever talked to the media about it should get out of town (maybe not in those exact words)

[scuba]

Yeah, Heather, I'm sure it will be a little awkward for Barrett stepping into the Padres clubhouse. I'm not sure I like the trade. Barrett brings a passion to the Cubs and is one of those guys that just seems like a "true Cub" if you know what I mean. On the other hand, he's been in some scuffles with other teams and even our own pitchers, and it's seems like he is starting to earn a reputation for being a bad boy. Doesn't help the Cubs image in my opinion.

We'll see what happens. I think Koyie can do a decent job. I don't know too much about the Bowen guy we are getting back, but he seems decent as well.

[bringbacktuffy]

this is making my head spin. me thinks this paves the way to re-signing Z, or possibly a part of another trade. since we are stock with OF'ers, the prospect might get shipped elsewhere right away in another deal. same goes for bowen since we have blanco, hill, fox and soto as catchers right now. JH traded for surplus, me thinks another move will be made

[roenick99]

I think this is a crap move. We got nothing for something and I believe they traded the wrong guy. Zambrano needs to be shipped out next.

[ryno4ever]

this is making my head spin. me thinks this paves the way to re-signing Z, or possibly a part of another trade. since we are stock with OF'ers, the prospect might get shipped elsewhere right away in another deal. same goes for bowen since we have blanco, hill, fox and soto as catchers right now. JH traded for surplus, me thinks another move will be made


This could be, tuffy...however, my concern is that the Cubs have said that there is a good possibililty that Blanco may have to have season ending neck surgery if the last cortisone shot doesn't work. In an earlier post I pointed out just how much of the game does rely on the catcher. Hill has done a fair job behind the plate, but hopefully now that he will be the everyday lineup his bat will get better.

I think this was Hendry getting rid of the "distractions" (especially with the Sox series coming up this weekend)...but I think there is going to be a bigger move coming up...

Also..the timing of this is coming right before Aram is to come off the DL and Lou's need to keep Fontenot in the lineup.

[Cubs_Addiction]

I think this is a crap move.

I concur.

[ryno4ever]

I'm all for making a trade to improve this team, but what did we get in this trade to make the team better?

[roenick99]

Does anyone remember the years before Barrett when the Cubs would have a good (or at least decent) defensive catcher, yet there was a giant hole (instant out) in the lineup because of no bat? Sure wish we would have spent the $40 mil on Pudge right now. Of course, I wishing we would have spent the money then as well. Go figure.

[ryno4ever]

Andy Masur is on The Score.... giving the Padres view...
* They needed a right handed bat...and Barrett can hit in Petco
* Barrett needed out of Chicago...he was very unhappy (Masur talked to him)
* Bowen is "sevicable"...good defensive catcher and "good guy in clubhouse"
* Barrett will probably be the starting catcher as Bard is in his first year there
* this is a "rent-a-player" situation for the Padres, they probably won't sign him for a long term thing..unless they like what they see
* "addistion by subraction" situation for the Cubs
* Padres fans are ecstatic!

[ryno4ever]

Steve Stone is now on the Score...his thoughts....
* Cubs felt it is time to move Barrett..although Hendry is one of Barrett's biggest supporters.
* Stone believes Lou had a lot of pull in this trade (due to Hendry's love of Barrett)
* The Padres more than likely went to Maddux with questions about Barrett, and Maddux probably gave the thumbs up to getting Barrett to help these Padres over the top
* Bowen has an 11% rate to throw out runners and 4 ML homers (Barrett is silver slugger and a career .290 average). Basically, the Cubs just got screwed is what stoney is saying
* This is a much needed change of scenery for Barrett who has lost his confidence and it is affecting his game.
* Stone said in the last week, Barrett was getting better offensively and defensively...and Barrett is going to go on a tear in San Diego
* He really believes that Maddux really did pull the trigger on this deal.

[ryno4ever]

ESPN 1000 reported that Hendry tried to pull of a bigger deal. He tried to include Jones and Izturis for Khalil Greene. San Diego backed out of that late.

[ryno4ever]

ESPN 1000 is posing the question..... What are the Cubs going to do with their Michael Barrett Jersey and Bobblehead give aways next week?

[Wrigleys Peanut Vendor]

Really dont like the trade. We have done what you dont wanna do, we traded a guy at the bottom of his value. How quickly people forget that over the past 3 years, Barrett has been a very good offensive catcher. He won a god damn silver sluger for christsake. He has had a bad year sure, but hes gonna get better. His offense has actualyl been a bit better past week or so. Barrett was a firey guy who stood up for his teammates. Barrett, you will be missed.

[bringbacktuffy]

at least we dont have to see the mcdonalds ads anymore with barrett and dye if ryno4ever is right and blanco does have season ending surgery, we will need another bat from somewhere. a #1 draft pick could get us something hopefully

[SKIPPER 11]

I dont see how this will open up a spot for Fontenot. Obviously Bowen will just take Barrets spot. I admit I have been one of Barrets biggest critics this season, but I thought for sure he would bring more than that. I dont think Lou and Barrett were ever on the same page. Hopefully this is leading to a bigger deal- at least get Brian Schneider.

[SKIPPER 11]

The Khalil Greene rumor- why would we want this guy- he is Izzy with power. I think he is hitting .230. I think we drafted him his junior yr at Clemson and he turned it down.

[dundeecub]

1, a new catcher: jim needs to do what he has to (and if thats z, so be it) to get saltalamacchia out of atlanta. he's a switch-hitting plus catcher with home run power who has no future in atlanta.
2, value of barrett: he's a free agent soon, and he's had bad press of late, not many know him well enough AND have pull to get him (viz. Maddux)

[Doba]

ESPN 1000 reported that Hendry tried to pull of a bigger deal. He tried to include Jones and Izturis for Khalil Greene. San Diego backed out of that late.

This tells me they'll be gone by the deadline. I wish Tejada would let a trade happen. What is his contract status?

[dundeecub]

This tells me they'll be gone by the deadline. I wish Tejada would let a trade happen. What is his contract status?

signed through 09: $12m this year, $13 each 08/09

[SkullKey]

For the Cubs this seems a defensive move without creating an absolute hole in the line-up. This sems of significance: he's a switch hitter with greater ability from the left side:

" ..... A switch-hitting catcher who excels from the left side [his stats say otherwise but everything I read says he is a better hitter as a lefty] , showing decent power. He's an above-average defensive catcher, able to block and through throw was meant here] very well. ..... "

Above average defensive catcher - that appeals to me a lot. Also:

" ..... you are overlooking one big thing- Rob Bowen. As a back-up, he is one of the best defensive catchers in the bigs. Expect Bowen to be a defensive substitution in many games, start quite a few, and accumulate plenty of innings...... "

Baseball Prospectus has among his "comparables" Alan Ashby and Jason Varitek.

He's very big (6' 3" & 225lbs) and young (26).

His contract is $380, 000. I think Barrett's was about $5, 000, 000. I believe the "Burke" was a former 1st round pick named Kyler.

[CubsFan23]

Why the hell would we trade a starting catcher for a backup catcher and an outfielder who is low A ball hitting .211? I hope Bowen proves to be a valuable catcher. I think we got the shaft on this one with out the benifit of vasoline.

[Bockstock]

signed through 09: $12m this year, $13 each 08/09

Hmmm doing some quick calculations

2008 Commitements
75-80 Million - 18 players (not counting Z's possible extension, and Jones,Izturis,Eyre,Ohman)

2009 Commitements
71 Million - 6 Players - Soriano,Lee,Ramirez,Lilly,Marquis,DeRosa

Definitely doable next year, 2009 will be really sketchy though

[BigZ38]

I think Barrett is on the downside of his career. But we still didn't get anything in return. Hendry makes another questionable move.

[chas777]

I don't think its a bad trade.Sure Barrets a proven better hitter,but think about it,he had 9 home runs and 29 RBIs,how many games have been blown by bad pitch calling,pass balls, throwing errors etc.Don't know the numbers,but I'll bet it amounts to close to as many runs as he batted in.Just like in any job if the mistakes you make are canceling out the good things you do,you are not going to be around long.Besides this guy is only 26,might be a late bloomer as a hitter.

[mickeyrom51]

Not sure how top this prospect is.He's hitting something like .210 in low A.

[NeifiPerezMVP2007]

I think Barrett is on the downside of his career. But we still didn't get anything in return. Hendry makes another questionable move.

I'm not sure this was a Hendry trade. From everything I've heard from multiple sources it was Lou, not hendry that wanted this deal done. I agree that for the short term it is a questionable trade, but on the other hand Hill is doing pretty darn good behind the plate and its about time they open a spot for a rookie (Besides Murton). Murton has done nothing and was not sad to see him go down considering his hitting W/RISP. Barret was a stand up guy who did have a flare for the dramatic, but thats something the Cubs lack outside of Zambrano.

[ChinMusic22]

A couple things...

First I've been seeing Tejada's name thrown around. Tejada does not have a no trade clause in his contract. Peter Angelos has vetoed any trades on the table. I'm a big Tejada fan, but he's got his issueS, and I'd rather not see him here. How would Tejada help this team? Talk to any Orioles fan and they'll tell you Tejada's biggest problem is his attitude. Also, what happened to his prodution? He's on pace to be lucky to hit .300/20/80, and he has no range defensively. Besides that, the Orioles overvalue Tejada and we'll end up giving up too much. I'm still high on Jack Wilson. He's great with the glove and has a decent bat.

On to Barrett... John Marzano is one of the hosts on MLB radio. He's also a former Major League catcher, who played for Pinella in Seattle. He said in April there would be a problem with Barrett. Pinella is big on the catcher calling a good game over offensive production and he blames the catcher for poor pitching performances. I've been saying for a while now there's a rason Koyie Hill's been catching. I think Blanco is done for the year. Hill's the starter with Bowen backing up.

I wish Barrett the best. He's a good hitter, but he's not a good cacther.

Look at Pinellas winning teams. He's always had a good defensive catcher and a solid defensive shortstop.

[SKIPPER 11]

True there Chinmusic- Lou is an old school guy - he always had Joe Oliver and Dan Wilson with the Reds and Mariners. I just dont know in todays game if you can win with 2 totally defensive minded players in the line up. Look at the Astros this year. In the past they have had Clemens, Petitte, and Oswalt to keep the score down so Everett and Ausmus were hidden in the line up. Now with just Oswalt- the Astros are terrible. Maybe you can get by with it in the AL but when you 7-9 spots come up and they cant hit you are in trouble.

Take a look at our 2003 team- 7-9 spots- AGonzalez, Miller/Bako, then the pitcher
I remember our number was 4. If we scored 4 we would win. We had Prior, Wood, Z , Clement. We dont have that now.

[JC4CubsWin]

I liked Barrett's hard nosed style of play. Now I have to ask myself did we get enough in the deal? Then on the other hand it is his walk year, he is presently getting 5 million. Now how much would you give to have him on your team for another 90 games? I hope that the this is just a warming up to a big deal the Cubs have some decent/marginal players that hopefully they can dump and turn their spots into something.
Jones can catch the ball he sure the heck can't throw it after he catches it.
Izturis has come through with some clutch hits but isn't a consistant on base type. He is a good defender.
Murton got left out in the cold. His defense is at best average but given the chance he did prove he could hit last season. This year it is revolving doors. I hope and pray that a few more changes are coming to really make a differance.

[ChinMusic22]

True there Chinmusic- Lou is an old school guy - he always had Joe Oliver and Dan Wilson with the Reds and Mariners. I just dont know in todays game if you can win with 2 totally defensive minded players in the line up. Look at the Astros this year. In the past they have had Clemens, Petitte, and Oswalt to keep the score down so Everett and Ausmus were hidden in the line up. Now with just Oswalt- the Astros are terrible. Maybe you can get by with it in the AL but when you 7-9 spots come up and they cant hit you are in trouble.

Take a look at our 2003 team- 7-9 spots- AGonzalez, Miller/Bako, then the pitcher
I remember our number was 4. If we scored 4 we would win. We had Prior, Wood, Z , Clement. We dont have that now.

Good point, and I agree with you to a point, but I think there's a flip side. Look at the Cardinals. They won last year with Yadier Molina and his marginal average. He was one of their biggest clutch guys in the playoffs. Also teams that win with offensive catchers like Jorge Posada, Ivan Rodriguez, or Jason Varitek, they are all good defensively as well. The Mets had Piaza and had good teams but craped out. The Braves made the playoffs ever year and Javy Lopez was a force offensively, but terrible behind the plate.

Most teams that win the WS have a good defensive catcher. Do I think we can use an upgrade over Hill or Bowen offensively? Sure, but I think by better games being called will win us more games because our pitching will improve as result.

[SKIPPER 11]

Dont get me wrong, I think you can win with just a defensive C. Lou wants a good defensive C and a good SS, that would be tough to get by with. We need offense from 1 of those spots. Unfortunately there are only a few catchers that do both well and you named them. The only offensive C that is not very good defensively that is on a winning team is Estrada from the Brewers. Im just thinking off the top of my head.

[ryno4ever]

I'm still thinking that because of so many question marks, Ole Hendry is just warming up on the moves and there is a bigger trade on the horizon. Hendry's job and reputation for future jobs is laying on this team and all of the money he spent on it. Next year, when the new owners take over, if Hendry looks like a smart man, he has a chance to stay...if he looks like a dumb ass because he was given an open checkbook and went on a senseless spending spree, no one will want to hire someone that irresponsible.

[ARamfan]

I'm still thinking that because of so many question marks, Ole Hendry is just warming up on the moves and there is a bigger trade on the horizon. Hendry's job and reputation for future jobs is laying on this team and all of the money he spent on it. Next year, when the new owners take over, if Hendry looks like a smart man, he has a chance to stay...if he looks like a dumb ass because he was given an open checkbook and went on a senseless spending spree, no one will want to hire someone that irresponsible.

You're right, Heather. There's probably a bigger trade on the horizon. And yes, his reputation is definitely at stake! And IMO, that's an understatement! :eek:

[cubbie_kern]

NNNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!

[Cubs_Addiction]

NNNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!

Again, I concur.

The day began that way and has ended that way with the loss of Barrett, then the game. As we can see, trading Michael has allowed the team to 'focus' on the game (per some opinionated sportscastor)... Not!

[Bockstock]

Next year, when the new owners take over, if Hendry looks like a smart man, he has a chance to stay...if he looks like a dumb ass because he was given an open checkbook and went on a senseless spending spree, no one will want to hire someone that irresponsible.

Teams with $100 million dollar payrolls don't constantly languish under .500 by chance or bad luck.

Just saying......