Darwin Barney

[Pepe Silvia]

I don't post very often here but I get a lot of my info here as it's a very active board. I'm currently living in Florida so I don't get to see as many Cubs games as I'd like and get a lot of info through box scores.

One thing I have noticed is that Barney seems to catch a lot of flak on this board, but when I look at his stats, he seems to be having a good year. It's his first full season, minus the DL time, and is putting up close to a .300 average. I know he is not gonna have a lot of power, but that's not something I ever expected from him. But, I would take a 2B with a good glove that can hit around .300 every year. I'm just wondering if there is something I'm missing by not watching the games that makes him a whipping boy on the board.

 

[nwfisch]

Barney is terrible with the bat

That was one of the mentions on this board. Maybe he's not great, or a world beater at 2B, but for 5 years under team control as poodski said, I don't see why the Cubs need to spend money on 2B right now.

 

[Pepe Silvia]

Yeah, this is how I feel.

 

[Rice Cube]

The reason is, while he's good at putting the ball in play, he still doesn't get on base very well (currently .319 OBP) and he has very little power. His value is in his glove, as he's a decent defender, but that's about it. He probably shouldn't be batting #2 in the lineup, but whatever, I'm not the manager

 

[bobferg]

The reason is, while he's good at putting the ball in play, he still doesn't get on base very well (currently .319 OBP) and he has very little power. His value is in his glove, as he's a decent defender, but that's about it. He probably shouldn't be batting #2 in the lineup, but whatever, I'm not the manager

Fact. He is a fine 8th hole option. In fact, that would improve his OBP by hitting in front of the pitcher.

His defense and cheap contract are really his only saving graces at this point.

 

[Captain Obvious]

Fact. He is a fine 8th hole option. In fact, that would improve his OBP by hitting in front of the pitcher.

His defense and cheap contract are really his only saving graces at this point.

I'm not convinced that he would have a better obp. He has shown nothing to show he can lay off pitches out of the zone

 

[dabynsky]

Darwin Barney isn't good with the bat. He does have a batting average over .300, but he doens't walk or hit for enough power to be a regular everyday starter. Can you live with Darwin Barney as your 2B and 8th hitter? Sure you can, but what gets old is the idea that the Cubs have 2nd base locked for the next decade because Darwin Barney provides an empty .300 batting average. I'm just afraid that the Cubs think that 2B is fine and isn't one of many possible places to upgrade this roster.

 

[Rice Cube]

Barney got a timely RBI today. How about them apples?

 

[Jntg4]

Darwin Barney isn't good with the bat. He does have a batting average over .300, but he doens't walk or hit for enough power to be a regular everyday starter. Can you live with Darwin Barney as your 2B and 8th hitter? Sure you can, but what gets old is the idea that the Cubs have 2nd base locked for the next decade because Darwin Barney provides an empty .300 batting average. I'm just afraid that the Cubs think that 2B is fine and isn't one of many possible places to upgrade this roster.

He isn't good at taking walks... but taking walks and being good with the bat are different. You don't walk using your bat... you walk by not using your bat.

He's good with the bat (getting hits), but not disciplined (drawing walks).

 

[Jntg4]

Barney got a timely RBI today. How about them apples?

He has been pretty clutch, so not surprised.

 

[dabynsky]

He isn't good at taking walks... but taking walks and being good with the bat are different. You don't walk using your bat... you walk by not using your bat.

He's good with the bat (getting hits), but not disciplined (drawing walks).

Is that you Dusty?

Okay I expect more than a .700 OPS or more than .350 SLG to be considered good with the bat. Just because a guy gets a lot of singles doesn't mean he is a good hitter.

 

[Rice Cube]

He has been pretty clutch, so not surprised.

There is no clutch.

 

[daddies3angels]

Bareny to me would be be perfect utitlity middle infielder on a contending team. For a bad team like the cubs he bats 2nd.

 

[dabynsky]

Bareny to me would be be perfect utitlity middle infielder on a contending team. For a bad team like the cubs he bats 2nd.

Barney isn't a terrible baseball player, but he is not a good offensive player. Barney has use as a guy that can play both middle infield spots and offer plus defense at 2B.

I suppose if what people mean by good with the bat that he can make contact at an above average rate then I can accept that, but I want more from players than being Randall Simon.

 

[CODE_BLUE56]

we need a barney sig

=:barney: