The Indians announced that they’ve selected the contracts of outfielder Brandon Barnes and infielder Adam Rosales from Triple-A Columbus. To open roster space for the pair of veterans, outfielder Tyler Naquin and right-hander James Hoyt were placed on the 60-day DL. (Hoyt was first recalled from Triple-A before that move to the big league DL.)
Barnes, 32, hasn’t been in the Majors since a 2016 run with the Rockies but has enjoyed a very nice season in Triple-A, making the International League All-Star team and hitting .273/.347/.444 with 14 homers and 19 steals through 566 plate appearances.
Barnes has never hit much in the Majors but, at his best, was capable of providing significant value at all three outfield spots and on the basepaths. He’ll add another name to the Indians’ piecemeal approach to patching over an injury-ravaged outfield mix that also features Melky Cabrera, Greg Allen, Rajai Davis, Brandon Guyer and Michael Brantley (with Jason Kipnis potentially headed there as well once Josh Donaldson is healthy).
Rosales, 35, has now appeared in the Majors in each season since 2008, though he’s never topped last season’s total of 312 plate appearances. He’s a career .227/.292/.365 hitter who has played all four infield positions and both outfield corners. Like Barnes, he’s a right-handed bat, and while he’s had more success against lefties throughout his career, Rosales’ year-to-year results have been highly inconsistent. He batted .239/.313/.445 with 18 homers and roughly even platoon splits in 428 Triple-A plate appearances this season.
I like both of these moves, and they both deserved the promotion they’re getting; I’m honestly kind of surprised that Barnes hadn’t been called up earlier, but I was able to get a chance to see him in Columbus over the weekend.
I also think sufferfortribe is happy about this.
Brandon Barnes is like the Brett Lawrie of the outfield. Raw talent, can’t put it together.
i was never impressed with barnes when he was in colorado. never seemed to be able to flip the switch to the bigs. more or less a 4-A player if you ask me. not horrible, good for the bench, but don’t expect too much out of him.
Yes, Michael, I am. Extremely patiently happy.
Both added to help give regulars some time off, most likely.
rosales / erik gonzalez should help. lindor and jose look gassed lately. (yes i know frankie has homered back to back lol. still though)
AAAA-player reward time of year.
Big league check for a month, real per diem. Great hotel rooms. Manicured fields. Cute locals.
More AAAA types, the ones who really excel at that description, should get the shot for at least one line in the big league record. It’s not a pretty life for a career minor leaguer. AAAA guys are a different sort and deserve a cookie.
All that said, I’ve seen enough of Adam Rosales. I just have. Bring up another guy instead.
Nice, except both have already seen quite a bit of time in the majors.