Rockies second baseman Clint Barmes will be eligible for arbitration one last time this winter. He's already earning $3.325MM this year; will the team tender a contract and potentially give him a raise for 2011?
Barmes, 31, lost most of his power this year en route to a .241/.307/.360 line through 400 plate appearances. By measure of UZR Barmes has played average defense at second base the last few years and as a bonus he has significant experience at shortstop.
The Rockies flirted with the idea of acquiring Dan Uggla as far back as the offseason, reportedly discussing offering Barmes and a prospect with the Marlins. Nonetheless, the Rockies made a multiyear offer to Barmes that would've guaranteed his 2010-11 salaries and included a club option for 2012. Instead, the Rockies now have the flexibility to cut him. Sometimes the looming possibility of a non-tender can kill offseason trade value, as in the case of Matt Capps last winter. If the Rockies don't intend to retain Barmes, it may make sense to move him now. Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post wrote on Thursday that a handful of teams are waiting for the Rockies to put Barmes on waivers.
If Uggla can't be had in the offseason, the Rockies could consider free agents such as Orlando Hudson or Juan Uribe to play second base. Internal options may include Jonathan Herrera, Eric Young Jr., and Chris Nelson.
Less than a year ago Barmes was coming off a 23 home run season and the Rockies wanted to lock him up. Assuming Barmes does not change teams this month, they must decide whether to even tender a contract for 2011. Click here to predict the Rockies' decision, and here to see the results.
I think the Orioles will sign him as a utility player for 1yr/$2.5MM
If the Orioles sign him it will not be as a Utl. Infielder. He is a better SS than both Izturis and Lugo, and could also supplant Bell at 3B, if he doesn’t proove his worth by the end of the season.
So you agree. Utility.
On a good team, yes he is a utility player. On a team like the Orioles he would end up winning a job at either SS or 3B. 2B only if Roberts is moved.
Why would they move Roberts to sign Barmes.
By the way, I commented on two replies today about why I think Ramon Mendez is the man. You welcome.
UZR is completely useless if it rates Barmes as an average defender. He’s a very good defender with excellent range, a shortstop arm, and has terrific footwork and a quick release on double play turns. Don’t put too much on a pretty much useless defensive stat.
The idea that Dan Uggla can probably be had for the same price as the combined savings of Barmes and Hawpe makes me optimistic but I don’t see Dan O’Dowd wanting to give up anything in the system or draft picks. I think the Rockies will either go really big and try to get Uggla, or they will stick with Herrera, EYJ, Nelson combo. I don’t see them going for middle of the road talent like Hudson or Uribe.
I’d be shocked if Barmes isn’t non-tendered. There’s no need to overpay a mediocre player like this when the Rockies have other options making the league minimum like Eric Young
Why would the Rockies bring in Hudson or Uribe when they have 4 prospects that can play 2nd (counting their #1 position prospect Hector Gomez who was hurt most of this year in AA)?
The Rockies will need the cash savings from Barmes and Hawpe to fill in several holes this fall, including RF, 1b and 3B and a veteran #2/3 SP
Barmes is a very good utility player. Anyone trying to make him a starter, is really hurting for either a SS or a 2ndbaseman
I agree on Uribe and Hudson. The same thing you said about 2b can be said about RF though too. Seth Smith and Spilborghs will both be kept for cheap and possibly bring up a guy like Miller or Payton (assuming he doesn’t retire).
The real holes will be at 1st and 3rd. Dan Uggla or Ty Wigginton can fill both corner holes plus play 2nd.
That is IF Seth Smith and Spilly can can handle the OF. Miller looks to be no more than a bench guy. That’s thinner than it is at 2nd.
However, I agree, the real holes will be 1st and half of 3rd.
The other real hole will be for a Veteran Starting Pitcher that could be a #2 guy allowing Chacin, Rogers, and Hammel their proper roles further back in the rotation. (that is if Rogers isn’t included in any trade this off-season)
but thats the logic O’Dowd and Jim Tracy used for releasing Brad Hawpe, so you’d think it would also be the plan going into 11, of course Spilly and Smith might not cut it, but they’ll be given the chance before the Rox bother acquiring someone (at least a starter, I can see them signing jermain dye or somebody to backup).
I guess the difference, is I’m personally not sold on Seth Smith being the answer. I know he’ll get a lot of playing time everyday to find out…I’m just not sure. The good news is Blackmon is looking like a legit player and should be in AAA next year.
Now…if they can only find some team stupid enough to take Cook and his 10.5 million contract in 2011 off the Rockies hands
At least we really only need to fill one starting OF spot with Carlos Gonzalez and Dexter Fowler looking like they’ll be on this team for a while. Smith, Spilborghs, and Miller battling for that last spot? I’d say that’s more than enough depth.
As for the minors, of course Miller is still down there, and Blackmon is looking great, but frankly ’09’s first round supp. pick Tim Wheeler is looking like a big disappointment. Payton is probably done as an MLB player, Garner and Frey are probably going to end up as marginal players in the MLB. I guess we have to wait for Kyle Parker for that next uberprospect in the outfield.
I don’t think the Rockies need a 3B in the least. Ian Stewart may not hit for a high average, but his HR and RBI totals are in the top third at his position in the NL, his OPS+ puts him right at league-average, and he’s an excellent defender at the hot corner.
Stewart can’t hit left handed pitching. He needs a platoon partner at least. I read a suggestion that Kevin Kusmanoff (sp?) would be a good choice. He can’t hit righties, and he’s from Evergreen, CO
Stewart’s career line against RHP is .251/.335/.465 (.800 OPS) and against LHP it’s .235/.331/.431 (.762 OPS). I don’t see a ton of difference there.
this year: .233/.346/.344/.690 2 homers
vs: .277/.346/.500/.846 16 homers
I think I will vomit so hard if the braves get him.
I’ve watched Charlie Blackmon every day since his call-up to Double-A Tulsa and he is solid. Are any one of his tools developed enough to be truly “plus”? Not at this point, no. But I do feel he does everything well at this stage in his career; Blackmon has time to improve and I think he will do so in short form. Legit player all the way, which makes releasing Hawpe a sad but likely wise decision.
As for Barmes, I feel he is a terrific shortstop on defense, and his UZR and UZR/150 over the last two seasons reflect that. Barmes can be a terrific defensive replacement or utility player for many teams (e.g., you know, in case Jose Reyes decides it’s not worth his time to leg out a ground ball). Non-tender him and let him pick up on another squad to get his career going again, I say. Let EY2 or Herrera hold that spot until further notice.
David
Do you think the Rockies will add Blackmon to the 40 day and give him a cup of coffee in Sept?
Do you think Blackmon starts in AAA in 2011? And if so when do you think he’ll get a shot in the majors, later in 2011 or more like 2012?
Clint Barmes is the PERFECT utility infielder on a championship team. He is not an ideal everyday player however…yet he will probably end up being paid like one.
I would like to see Herrera get the everyday job at 2B, with EY2 moving to LF.
I don’t think we need EYJ, Fowler, and Herrera (all small ball players) in the starting lineup at 1 time. I can see playing EYJ in the OF only when Fowler has the day off (moving Cargo to center). Otherwise EYJ needs to stick to 2B, Herrera as the utility player, and the Rox using that OF field position with someone that hits for a combination of avg and pop, ie Seth Smith.
I have to think the Giants will an interest in Barmes as a possible SS on a 1 or 2 year deal to fill in.
UZR also ranks Kevin Kouzmanoff ahead of Evan Longoria at 3B….
I don’t care for the statistic personally, but as long as it isn’t the be all end all in determining defensive capabilities I don’t mind it.
Give me a veteran baseball scouts analysis of a player’s defensive capabilities over UZR any day of the week…