Clint Barmes ranks eighth among all free agent position players in FanGraphs' wins above replacement for 2011, after Jimmy Rollins and Aramis Ramirez but before Michael Cuddyer and Marco Scutaro. Not bad for a guy I considered a non-tender candidate a year ago.
Barmes (pictured) ended up a bright spot for the Astros, mainly because he was able to play a capable shortstop for a thousand innings. That's where most of the WAR value comes from, rather than Barmes' .244/.312/.386 batting line. He played 123 games for the Astros, missing most of April due to a broken bone in his hand.
Credit the Astros for recognizing Barmes' value as a shortstop, a position he hadn't played regularly for Colorado once Troy Tulowitzki arrived. Barmes has said he'd like to return to the Astros, but GM Ed Wade isn't sure if the team's economic environment will allow it.
Omar Infante's two-year, $8MM extension with the Marlins seems a fair comparable for Barmes and the Astros. The Astros should at least offer arbitration to Barmes, assuming our projection that he just barely made the cut for Type B status is accurate. Above-average shortstops are hard to come by on the open market, though at least two others will be available in free agency this winter in Jose Reyes and Rollins. If the Astros fail to sign Barmes, he could be a more affordable alternative for the Twins, Braves, Phillies, Brewers, Pirates, Cardinals, or Giants.
Photo courtesy of Icon SMI.
I wonder if he would consider playing 2nd base on a full time basis?
2 years at $4MM per? Sounds like a Minnesota Twins special.
WOW, the fact that he is 8th best player on the market really means this is a crappy market.
I’m not saying he sucks but from what I’ve observed here in Houston, he is the picture of mediocrity. Hard to shine on a crappy team I guess..
Clint Barmes is beloved by managers for his attitude and approach more than anything. He is acceptable offensively if surrounded by plus-talent. He is not going to win many games for you with the bat. Barmes is best suited as a quality part-time starter as a utility man.
Edited by a moderator? Does that mean you had the worst grammar of all time and they had to fix it for you?
Edited by a moderator? Does that mean you had the worst grammar of all time and they had to fix it for you?
Pass.
Enjoyed watching Barmes play this year. He was a steady player on an unsteady ballclub. I’d take him back ASAP and worry about the other 8 positions (or 24).
He really is one of the best defensive SS in baseball… what sets him
apart, imo, is his quick exchange from glove to hand, and then a
somewhat-better-than-average arm.
A player much like Sea Bass, but with some added upside. And he tends to
hit much better with runners on, if you put any stock in situational
stats…I just remember him struggling like heck with the bases empty
and dropping doubles any time someone was on when he played with the
Rockies.
Would love to have him on the Braves. At least a slight upgrade in all
facets. I’d start w/ 2 years for $6-7MM and see and move from there.
-C
hey clint! we need a second baseman not named mark ellis, chris nelson, eric young, johnny herrera
sincerely, rockies fan
hey clint! we need a second baseman not named mark ellis, chris nelson, eric young, johnny herrera
sincerely, rockies fan
Tigers option at second base? God knows Raburn and injury prone guillen and Santiago aren’t the answer. worth a shot
Well, his defense itself accounts for about 27% of the value. More than anything, WAR credits him this year for just being on the field, at least that’s my understanding of the Replacement component.
I gotcha. He’s just 8th best based on 2011 performance. Still, it must have been some crappy years for these other free agents.