The Blue Jays announced that they’ve re-signed second baseman Darwin Barney to a one-year, Major League deal worth $1.05MM.
Barney, 30, spent most of the 2015 season in the minors with the Dodgers but wound up in Toronto in September to fill in for the injured Devon Travis. Barney batted .304/.333/.609 in a tiny sample of 26 plate appearances but is a career .246/.294/.339 hitter in parts of six big league seasons (2091 plate appearances). Most of Barney’s value is derived from his glove, where he’s drawn strong reviews from defensive metrics and won an NL Gold Glove Award (2012) over the course of his career. With Travis set to miss the beginning of next season following shoulder surgery, Barney will serve as a depth piece and a likely option at second base early in the season for manager John Gibbons.
Shi Davidi of Sportsnet first reported the deal (Twitter link).
Why? They already have Goins
Because A) Travis isn’t going to be ready for opening day and B) we need depth and Barney is great defensively
He’ll be the back-up infielder. Devon Travis won’t be recovered from his surgery for the start of the season so they need somebody, anybody better than Clownasaki.
Travis is out until like June… so it makes a lot of sense to get someone that has a good glove and can play either 2B or SS, though it would appear more likely to see Goins be the one that would fill in at short if Tulo needed a day off or got hurt.
He’s not much
Wow, thanks head office. I must admit with all the other teams stocking up ( Cubs, Diamondbacks, Dodgers, Red Sox ) it’s nice to see the Jays keeping pace with integral moves like this. A great way to spend Great Canadian Dollar Store style.
He’s a serviceable bench piece to be the 3rd middle infielder until Travis is back. They needed to get someone but not break the bank on a guy who wouldn’t play 2 months into the season. What did you expect them to do sign Zobrist for those 2 months?
Would you be appeased if they signed Bastardo and Sipp? The Jays need lefty relievers (after the postseason fiasco) and they wouldn’t break the bank.
I was surprised the jays didn’t pick a lhp in the RV today, ( As well as the rhp they did: he might be a stay). But yes, Sipp would be a great add for the BP. and, according to a sports journalist here in toronto, the Gm is saying they are not done. So we may get another addition or two….although, I am thinking a free agent starter.
Do you pay attention at all? They are looking for bullpen help and starting rotation depth (for AAA) but sharpio I guess cares about the win and lose record at AAA more than the MLB
Can Club rhetoric?
Thank Rogers for opening their bank accounts too… One of the richest companies in Canada and we let Price walk, ridiculous. But that being said I like this signing
He provides great defense at second, short, and third. Nice utility guy for late inning defense.
This is an excellent sign by the Jays.
I agree, it is, very good bench piece, great defence at different infield positions.
I agree. Barney is a solid baseball player and i anticipate good things from him. And wait til he has a full year under the tutelage of Mr. Jacoby and Mr.Owens
I like this move, but I have to admit, Toronto needs to make some noise this offseason. A lot of their best players have already peaked, with odds being against them bringing back both EE and JBau for 2017 and beyond. I would love us to sign Heyward or Leake, even a couple decent bullpen pieces would do
Nice signing I guess. Serves as a depth piece until travis is back. Wonder what we do with him after?