[mlbvideo id=”34344353″ width=”550″ height=”308″ /]
By Jon Weisman
The Dodgers have picked up defensive specialist Darwin Barney and cash considerations from the Cubs, in exchange for a player to be named later or (not to be redundant) cash considerations.
Barney had a .265 on-base percentage and .328 slugging percentage in 217 plate appearances for the Cubs this season and has a career OBP of .290. A second baseman with brief experience at short and third, the 28-year-old Barney won a Gold Glove in 2012 and shares the MLB record with 141 consecutive errorless games at second.
According to Fangraphs, Barney has been the No. 1 defensive second baseman in the National League this year with a UZR/150 of 15.5.
Chicago designated Barney for assignment on July 22. In his final 10 games prior to that date, Barney hit .385 (15-for-39) with two doubles and two triples.
“He’s a guy we have so much respect for as a person,” Hoyer told MLB.com. “I think he’s a really good baseball player, and a winning player, as he showed in college. He can do a lot of things on the field to help a winning team.
“He got in a position here where playing time started to be scarce for him, whether it was Valbuena, Bonifacio or Alcantara, and that necessitated the move,” Hoyer said. “It certainly wasn’t easy. He’s a great guy, and a great competitor. I’m hoping that in this process we can get him to a place where he can help a contender and get a feel for a pennant race.
Don Bright
Do they need to put him on major league roster or can he be sent to AAA? I would guess he would replace Rojas on MLB level if that way.
Jon Weisman
According to Eric Stephen of True Blue L.A., Barney has options remaining.
Don Bright
Very odd the Cubs DFA him instead of optioning him if so.
Asher B. Garber
Is this a reaction to Erisubel’s fisticuffs? Wow. We won’t see him again this year it seems. Strong lesson.
Jon Weisman
We hear this was in discussion before the brawl.
Jack Rosenberg
He hit .385 in the 10 games before he got DFA’d? He is an excellent fielder. Is there more to the story, Jon?
artieboy
Would he be a late inning defensive substitution for Gordon?
Don Bright
If he’s even on the 25 man, I would think he replaces Rojas, and is a defensive replacement for Hanley