The Tigers asked the Cubs about second baseman Darwin Barney a couple of weeks ago, Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports reports (on Twitter). However, talks didn't progress.
Tigers second basemen have combined for a .198/.272/.266 batting line, so it's no surprise that Dave Dombrowski's front office is looking into potentially available trade targets. No team in baseball has a worse OPS from the second base position in 2012.
Rival teams have asked about Barney, who has a .262/.307/.369 batting line in 302 plate appearances for the Cubs. The 26-year-old won't be arbitration eligible until after the 2013 season. The Tigers are also interested in Cubs right-hander Matt Garza, Morosi reported today.
I didn’t really think so before, but I’m starting to believe Barney could be a piece of the next winning Cubs team Theo’s trying to build. For elite D at 2nd base, that is an acceptable batting line, even as part of a playoff-caliber team.
i don’t think i’ve seen enough stats to call Barney ‘elite’ at second base. He’s certainly competent enough in the field, but he’s not Chase Utley. He also has virtually no power and an OPS just high enough to justify a major league roster spot.
Unless he really starts improving his offensive side of the game in the next year or two, He’s not the kind of player you ‘build around’, meaning as soon as a better prospect hits AA, he’s just trade bait anyways…. might as well explore the market for him, see what you can get…
And before anyone accuse me of bias, i’m actually a Cubs fan, just trying to be realistic here…
Did you watch any of the Atlanta series? He made a couple of highlite reels plays…amazing!
key was elite “d”.. not elite overall
cubs have about 5 prospects in their top 20 that are or can become 2b but none of them are above AA so barney should stay till atlest 2014
No need for him if you can get good return. Adrian Cardenas can play 2b until Lake is ready to come up
Lake is moving to 3rd.
Baez will have 3b or maybe ss with Castro at 2B. it all depends who pans out
Oh I’m being very cautiously optimistic myself. But to clarify, I never said he’s a player to “build around”, just that there could be a place for him on a playoff-caliber club. And as someone commented above, I said he brings “elite D”, not that he’s an elite 2nd baseman.
Barney CANT go!!! he is only going to get better, he has shown that he has improved! And he fits in real well with what the cubs are doing. I really dont want to see Garza go either! I think he has the stuff to become the Cubs Ace for years to come! I understand why he is trade able. I just dont think the cubs are that far off from putting all the pieces together. Think Garza could be a huge piece of the future? IMO
Thinking the Tigers could pull this off with a package similar to what the Royals got last year for Wilson Betemit
You’re thinking wrong.
What about a Luis Marte or Jose Ortega? No?
I imagine the Cubs would ask for long-term pieces. Bullpen arms seem like the last addition to a good team with a strong offensive core and lineup. The Cubs are a ways off.
He’d be more expensive than that. Barney may not cost Turner or Castellanos, but he would require a pretty solid package of talent to obtain.
Barney is remarkably mild when it comes to hitting it’s true. It’s like he’s physically weak holding the bat in his hands. But, this season, he has really become something to watch in the field. Especially the last week. I think it’s part excellent positioning, and the fact that he is gaining major league time playing his position. He has hardly ever played anywhere but SS in his life. This is just his 2nd full season at 2B anywhere at any level. Whether the steroid eras fans want to accept the fact that we’re going to see players putting up numbers that look a lot more like those put up in the 1970’s, numbers like Barney’s are going to become more acceptable. The era of 2b hitting 30 homers a year might be coming to an end. Unless they can find another strength drug that nobody tests for yet.
While I wouldnt mind Barney… I don’t like Garza. I think that the Cubs are over valuing a guy whose at best a #2 and more realistically a #3. If Garza and Barney could be had for something along the lines of Rondon, Crosby, some minor pieces I’d be fine, but I highly doubt that’s the case. Unless DD take Theo out for a few drinks
Rondon is a minor leage reliever. Croby is decent, lefty, but for Garza & Barney? Two established major leaguers? That’s nuts. Keep your Tigers junk.
I would think any possible deal for Garza has to begin with Jacob Turner.
That’s a really expensive start for a pitcher who is putting up #3 starter numbers and could end up being the Tigers #4.
Cubs don’t have to trade him. Tigers don’t hold the cards.
And the tigers don’t need him. Which is why this trade won’t happen for a ridiculous sum.
I think writers are putting too much emphasis on the Garza to the Tigers talk. First off; pitching is in no way their biggest need. Secondly; dd keeps things very close to the vest. If its being talked about, it’s a smokescreen. Just like ubaldo last year then they nabbed fister for a ridiculously cheap package. And third; Theo seems to be light years off what garza is really worth, atleast in regards to what he’s asking Detroit as a package for him.
Garza to the Tigers won’t happen.
Detroit has had the worst offensive production in all of baseball out of the second base position so their response is to trade for a weak hitting second baseman? Either the Tigers brass were looking to acquire Barney for pennies on the dollar or they’re running the organization very aimlessly.
To be fair though, bad infield defense has been an issue too. Barney would shore that up.
It has been as issue, but Santiago has provided reasonably good defense at 2nd. He’s the strongest defender out of their starting infielders. 2nd will remain a complimentary piece to the Tigers and I doubt they’d give up much to upgrade right now.
If Theo is insisting on Turner then perhaps DD is looking at what else he can get in addition to Garza to make a deal?? Just a thought.
That kind of production from the second base position is inexcusable. As the Tigers mount their way back to .500 and back into contention, they need to make a move for a second baseman who can give them consistent offensive production. Jose Altuve seems like the guy they should be going after here. While Barney is nice and an exceptional defensive second baseman, he is not an answer with the stick. Altuve has proven he can hit on every level and the Astros have enough Middle Infield depth where Altuve should be expendable at the right price.
I get the idea Altuve will be costly, but I agree whole heartedly. Altuve would be a welcome sight in Detroit
He’s what 22 years old? You are right, I think he will be costly too but as that saying goes, you have to give something to get something. Altuve may be small but he plays with a lot of heart. He is the perfect piece for the Tigers the more I think about it. He reminds me a lot of a Placido Polanco type. And Polanco was well like during his tenure in Detroit.
Elite infield defense would be a huge pickup for the Tigers actually. He can make up for the lack of range between Fielder and Peralta and save a LOT of hits for our groundballers. As to hitting, Polanco was not a power hitter and this guy doesn’t need to be. He just needs to get on base more and bunt better than Raburn/Santiago and he seems fully capable of doing that.
2b is not a power position and the only 2b with a bat big enough to help the Tigers is Cano and he’s not going anywhere. Production from SS and RF is what’s REALLY hurting right now.
I think anyone that wants to devalue Barney, better go look at Ryan Sandbergs # in his first couple years in the majors, Barney isnt that far off Ryno’s pace. Barney is a ball player through and through. And in no way am i saying he is Ryan Sandberg, cause he isnt. Do i think he could be that caliber of player….. HELL YEA! He is still a rookie and is going to have growing pains as will rizzo and castro. All 3 of these guys have alot of GRIT! why is it fans are so willing to give up on a guy cause he hasnt hit 30hrs or 100 rbi’s in a season??? this guy has 252 games in the majors so technically just over a 1 1/2….. he will be a gold glover!!
not sure if serious…
Bingo, hit the hammer on the head there
Nail..?
I don’t see the comparison. He’s a good defender with a below average bat. Useful, but not a superstar
Don’t force comps.
I actually was thinking about the Tigers trading for Barney just a few days ago. Funny that it is actually plausible. I’m surprised the Tigers aren’t interested in bringing back Polanco.
I’m not. He’s old, and his range has decreased significantly and i’m not sure how much he could play 2B. I’d much rather have Barney at this point.
He can’t play second base anymore. He’s where he needs to be defensively.
Ryno’s 1st 3 years (technically just over 2) 327 games, .233 avg, .265 obp, .279 Slg. Barney’s 1st 3 years, 252 games, .287 avg, .335 obp, .376 slg . Looks like Ryno was below average bat as well and look what he became!
And please look at Sandberg’s OPS in the minors (at a considerably younger age) compared to Barney’s.
Barney has no place in the current Cubs line-up. In Detroit, I think he could be a real asset at the bottom of the order. Detroit has a line-up that will allow Barney to see some better pitches. Seriously though. Garza and Barney to Detroit for a top five prospect doesn’t seem that ridiculous to me.
I’m a Cubs fan who can tell you that my fellow Cubs fans are absolutely delusional about this guy. He’s another “grinder” type who people seem to inexplicably love and see as a “cornerstone”. His bat is anemic and he’s a prototypical utility IF. These Cubs fans who think he’s the second coming of Ryne Sandberg because they had viscerally similar stats in their first few seasons in the majors (completely ignoring the age difference and their minor league stats) are completely insane.
While I agree he’s no star… He is better than anything Detroit has… Or has coming up at 2b in the minors.
I agree with eight and you, see my previous post!
If Theo can get a deal to get Turner for Garza, Barney, and one more ( DeJesus maybe) I would be jumpin for joy!
I hope the Cubs keep Barney. He is good insurance if Castro goes down to injury and his defense has been spectacular. And, he could develop into a better hitter given some time.