Globe and Mail: Cubs To Move Barrett?

The Globe and Mail is Canada's second-largest daily newspaper.  This little tidbit from sportswriter Jeff Blair may have escaped your attention:

"My sources are telling me that the Blue Jays and Cubs could figure in a deal after the All-Star break. The Cubs are going to dump infielder Todd Walker and might also look at moving Michael Barrett — whose omission from the NL All-Star team, even though it owes much to the justifiable presence of pitcher Carlos Zambrano as the Cubs representative, is one of the injustices of the All-Star rosters. Surprising, considering his knockdown of A.J. Pierzynski was universally cheered in most clubhouses. Barrett has his fans in the Blue Jays front office."

This is the first mention I've heard of Barrett as a trade candidate.  The 29 year-old is having a career-best season with the bat, hitting .305/.371/.502 in 213 ABs.  The Cubs acquired Barrett from Oakland (for whom he never actually played) for Damian Miller in December of 2003.  Barrett's current deal leaves about $8 million due for 2006-07.  According to Baseball Prospectus, that's very similar to his true value based on projections.  They have him worth $7.25 mil during that time period.

Given that the average NL catcher is hitting .266/.323/.403 this season, Barrett's offense is quite an asset.  However, it's still an open question as to whether his defense cancels out most of the value.  There aren't a ton of great stats to evaluate a catcher's work behind the plate.  One area in which Barrett is clearly deficient is throwing out baserunners.  His 20.6% success rate this year ranks 19th out of 22 qualified catchers.  Last year he was at 23%, and in '04 it was 24%.  Barrett's inability to throw out basestealers could mean as many as 60 outs that a Pudge Rodriguez would've recorded over the course of a season.

In a normal season Barrett will probably allow 5-10 passed balls, not terribly different from the average backstop.  But those are really the only two metrics I have.  Even John Dewan's excellent Fielding Bible doesn't tackle the issue of catcher defense.  Let's face it: any critique of game-calling skills would be entirely anecdotal or subjective.  Players don't openly criticize game-calling for the most part.  And I don't buy into the catcher ERA concept at all.

Barrett has played over 100 games at third base back in his Expo days.  Considering the very weak free agent markets for third basemen and catchers, Barrett is an excellent pickup at an affordable price.  There's even the possibility that his hitting improves further if he's removed from the rigors of catching.  Some possible suitors include the Rockies, Dodgers, and Padres. 

Comments

[Colonel_Franco]

Wow if Barrett is traded...
LET THE FIRE-SALE AT CLARK & ADDISON BEGIN!!! Hell if the A-Rod to the Cubs is true, why wouldn't Barrett be included since Posada is 34 & will need a successor within 2 years.

[ptk420biatch]

I dont think barrett is going anywhere. That would leave the cubs needing a 2nd baseman, a cf, a lf, and starting P or 2,prob a 3b, and a C in the offseason.

[PriorandAramisfan23]

If the Dodgers are a fit for Barrett. What about a Caesar Izturis and Joel Guzman swap for Barrett and Maddux?? I think that would make alot of sense for both teams.

[Jutter]

Considering the state of affairs for the Cubs, I'd absolutely make that deal because it involves Guzman.
To me, the Cubs need to completely rebuild and, even though I really like Barrett, he really shouldn't figure into the future.
I'd almost prefer another prospect than Izturis, though.

[RotoAuthority]

I agree that the Dodgers and Cubs could probably figure something out. And that Maddux and even Barrett are not building blocks.

[KwangTiger]

I'm not sure if you read it, but Baseball Prospectus put out something that said that a catcher's game calling skills have no real effect on the game.

[RotoAuthority]

Sounds like something they'd say...

[ArodSucksAtLife]

Bengie Molina, and Greg Zaun.....

Russ Martin, and Toby Hall.....

Barrett to either the Jays or the Dodgers isn't going to happen.

Phillies, Rockies, Brewers, Texas someone like that ok.

[junbun]

if the cubs move barrett they should move ramirez and lee too... totally blow this team up marlins style and get a group of players that will make this team great for years

[PriorandAramisfan23]

I don't want to rain on anyone's "fire sale" parade but the Cubs are horrible at developing prospects, I don't really see that as a clear cut solution either.

[koch]

You know what, Barrett might not be a top-tier defensive catcher, but the Cubs pitching staff is abysmal at holding runners and are slow as all hell coming home as well. Maddux, self-admittedly, doesnt care, doesn't slide step, and currently averages a pitch velocity of 79mph. Marshall sucks unbelievably bad for a lefty (baserunners are 10 for 13 against him), only lefties worse Kazmir, Francis. The opposition has stolen SEVEN bases off Scott Williamson in 24 innings--think that's a function of Barrett? Zambrano, on the other hand--1 for 3 in 119ip. It's so much more a function of the pitcher. The White Sox have two guys--Buehrle and Vazquez (the latter didnt give up a sb in over a year from '03-04) that teams are terrified to run against, and when they do, they get shitty jumps and get thrown out (7 of 14, 6 pickoffs between the two). Freddy Garcia on the other hand, worst in majors--22 for 23. Teams run on pitchers much more than they're running on catchers.

[Cubfan]

That rumor is true. Yes, Todd Walker may be available sadly. But that wouldn't be until next year. He might be kept though. Barrett is not for sale. Jim Hendry said the only ones available will be Phil Nevin, Scott Williamson, and maybe Greg Maddux depending on what he wants. Maybe Juan Pierre also. Thats it! Jim said he doesn't have to sale many players to have a good team and I agree wit him.

[Cubfan]

Opps I ment to say that rumor is not true.