MLB.com: What's the first thing you want to do this offseason?
BARNEY: The first thing I want to do is go home [to Oregon] and hang out with my friends who I haven't seen for a long time. We're going to Arizona in November, so we're getting ready for that. We're going to go down there for the offseason.
MLB.com: What surprised you about this year?
BARNEY: First off, the team surprised me a little bit. They had the talent for everything to happen the way they wanted it to. Second, what's surprised me is the way we played [the last six weeks]. It's been a good turnaround. For me personally, just being here [in the big leagues] and having this experience, it's been surprising. You don't know what to expect when you've never been in the big leagues. It feels like it does everywhere else. It surprised me that it's pretty much the same game.
MLB.com: So you didn't get butterflies?
BARNEY: I had them the first month. It takes a while to get through that, especially when you're not playing every day. It surprised me -- it's the same game, but you're playing against the best players there are.
MLB.com: What player would you want to change places with?
BARNEY: I'd want to change places with [former big leaguer and current Minor League coach] Richie Zisk back in his day. I want to know what it's like to play baseball in shorts. I've always wondered about that. That always cracks me up about Richie.
MLB.com: When do you start preparing for the 2011 season?
BARNEY: That's the hardest thing for me. A lot of people say to shut it down. I'll go home for a month and there's no stopping. I might take a couple days off, but then it's back to the gym. One thing I'm going to do this year is I'm not going to stop throwing. I like the way my arm feels, so I'm going to keep stretching it out and get stronger. We're moving to Arizona in November, and I'm going to work out with [strength coach Tim] Buss and [outfielder Tyler] Colvin, and we're going to try to get on the field and work on different positions that I haven't had time to work on and hopefully get stronger and better and make this team. I want to be more versatile.
In Oregon, we hit in warehouses all offseason. I think there's something to be said for being on the field and hitting live for a long period of time coming into Spring Training so it's not like you're just starting up again. That's what we're focusing on is getting out there and seeing what I can do.
MLB.com: Where might we see you this offseason?
BARNEY: I'm a Trailblazers' fan, so when I go home, I'll try to go to a game. When I'm in Arizona, I'll probably see some Phoenix Suns games. I've never been to a concert in my life. That's one thing I'd like to do at some point.
MLB.com: You're a musician, and you've never been to a concert?
BARNEY: I played four, five sports my whole life. I was taken out of school in middle school and elementary school early to go golfing on Fridays with my dad. I played baseball, basketball, soccer and also played football for two years. I never had time for things like that. I've only snowboarded once and I live an hour away from a mountain that has snow year-round. You can chose what you do -- and I've enjoyed what I'm doing.
MLB.com: Do you spend a lot of time on the piano?
BARNEY: Yes. One of the things I was able to do when I got drafted was I bought a studio. I had a buddy of mine in Washington [state] build it for me. It has a full touch-sensitive keyboard and it has every instrument you can think of that can go through the keyboard. If I want to play drums, I have a bass. I can lay my bass and do different things. It's something that relaxes me and keeps me busy. I'm excited to play for my daughter, Hayden.
MLB.com: Do you mix your own songs?
BARNEY: No, I'm a pianist first. [Recording my music] helps me because I don't read music. I play by ear. When I play, I record it. For example, I'll play a song or something, and then I'll make some other kind of beats to go with it. It's nothing professional, nothing that I want to do anything with. It's just a hobby that I like to do. It's fun to record and be in your car and see what it sounds like.
MLB.com: This was the first year the Cubs had a nutritionist handle the clubhouse meals. What did you think?
BARNEY: I was devastated in the Minor Leagues. They took away all the stuff that helps me gain weight, all the stuff I can go in and munch on. I'm a muncher at heart. I'm one of those guys who can eat potato chips at night, dipped in ketchup. For me, it was tough -- it was tough to find a snack I could eat and enjoy. I don't have a problem with keeping my weight on. I don't lose it during the season. Gaining it, that's what I have to do. Guys like me are always trying to gain weight. [In the big leagues], there's plenty of diversity. I'm doing OK.
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