The Padres signed second baseman Josh Barfield to a minor league deal with no Spring Training invite, reports MLB.com's Corey Brock. Barfield, 27, hit .252/.271/.331 in 319 appearances for the Indians' Triple A club in '09 and was outrighted in August.
Barfield came up with the Padres, posting a fine rookie season in '06. Former GM Kevin Towers sold high on him, sending Barfield to Cleveland after the season for Kevin Kouzmanoff and Andrew Brown.
I’d rather have Felipe Lopez obviously but getting Barfield back for nothing is ok. I hope he can hit like he did for us that one July of a few years ago. Eventually perhaps. Decent 2B insurance for cheap.
I’m still not sure the Padres aren’t after Lopez. At least if they can find a trade partner for Eckstein.
You know it was really a shame to see Barfield go a few years ago. He had a good season for the Pads in 05 I think it was when he played 153 games. I really hope Barfield gives Eck a run for his money.
The Downside to this signing, is that M. Antonelli seems to be the odd man out again.
I remember when Barfield was a former star. He’s still young, maybe he will get it back.
I certainly hope so.
He’s not getting a Spring Training invite, which I think is odd, so he’s getting shuttled to AAA. Even if he performs well at AAA I don’t think he will be pushing Eckstein or Cabrera for playing time, which means a middle infielder would have to get hurt for him to be called up. Even then, Antonelli could get first crack at it.
Barf is back? He’ll be traded within a month.
No spring training invite for Josh Barfield means #Padres view him just as depth at AAA Portland. #Antonelli not an option anymore?