Barrett to Left Field?

[fibro]

I was listening to the Score today and Steve Stone suggested Barrett should move to left field and that the Cubs should go out and get a great defensive catcher. I thought it was an interesting idea not really sure what to think of it though.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Steve's not even trying anymore.

[Jon]

Yeah, Stone has really lost it.

 

Or maybe he's never had it since he went into sports radio. With how much he's in favor of sacrificing offense for defense, he's turning into Hendry.

 

What are Steve's thoughts on batting with RISP?

[RonnieWooWooSanto]

I was listening to the Score today and Steve Stone suggested Barrett should move to left field and that the Cubs should go out and get a great defensive catcher. I thought it was an interesting idea not really sure what to think of it though.

 

I don't think it answers the Cubs' offensive woes. They could bring in a defensive catcher, but most defensive catchers are just that defensive catchers.

 

So they would essentially take Barrett's offensive production and move it to left field (where it doesn't look as good as it does at catcher) and find a catcher who will provide very little offensively.

 

And not to mention most likely make LF an adventure defensively.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

I really used to like him. It's really hard now.

[RynoRules]

If that is what he said, I am surprised.

[cheapseats]

Stone doesn't have a clue.

 

He's exhibit A of why ex-players aren't good judges of what kind of talent wins games.

[goonys evil twin]

I was listening to the Score today and Steve Stone suggested Barrett should move to left field and that the Cubs should go out and get a great defensive catcher. I thought it was an interesting idea not really sure what to think of it though.

 

I don't think it answers the Cubs' offensive woes. They could bring in a defensive catcher, but most defensive catchers are just that defensive catchers.

 

So they would essentially take Barrett's offensive production and move it to left field (where it doesn't look as good as it does at catcher) and find a catcher who will provide very little offensively.

 

And not to mention most likely make LF an adventure defensively.

 

What he said. If you want to put Barrett in LF, fine, go ahead, but you better improve the offense elsewhere, because this would just hurt the lineup, as whatever defensive catcher you get is going to be worse than whatever LF Barrett is replacing.

[abuck1220]

why, i was just thinking today that the cubs could use another terrible bat in their lineup. a defensive-minded catcher is just what i had in mind!

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Did Stone also predict the batter would strike out on a slider low and away?

[goonys evil twin]

Did Stone also predict the batter would strike out on a slider low and away?

 

good one.

[UMFan83]

Why are you ripping on Stone for suggesting that the Cubs get a catcher that can actually handle the pitching staff? If so the only logical thing to do with Barrett is move him to LF.

 

I mean its not the best idea in the World but I'm all for having a defensive catcher back there. Maybe its just a fluke, but the pitching staff hasn't really been the same since 2003 when Miller left. And that is including the performances of the same pitchers from 2003.

[Cubzfan64]

I guess I'm in the minority here because I don't see why the idea has no merit. Barrett is a good hitter and has really hit his stride offensively this year, but it's fairly easy to see he isn't that great of a defensive catcher and I'm not sure he's that great of a "caller" of games for a pitching staff either.

 

Why does anyone assume that Barrett's offensive numbers if he was capable of playing LF would equal the numbers he's put up as a catcher? Playing catcher really takes a toll on your body throughout a season and career. Even during a game it HAS to be more physically and mentally exhausting to catch than to play LF. I'd be willing to bet he would be a .280-.320 hitter capable of 25-35 HR's per year which would be fine in my book for LF.

 

I have no idea if he can play the OF defensively, but I see no reason not to consider it.

[biittner77]

Any time a team has a catcher that can actually hit someone eventually suggests moving them to a different position to extend their career.

This idea might make more sense in a couple years when Fox is ready. Until then there's no way the Cubs can further downgrade their offense.

[Outshined_One]

Would you rather have Barrett and Murton in the lineup or would you rather have Blanco and Barrett in the lineup?

[cheapseats]

 

I mean its not the best idea in the World but I'm all for having a defensive catcher back there. Maybe its just a fluke, but the pitching staff hasn't really been the same since 2003 when Miller left. And that is including the performances of the same pitchers from 2003.

 

Wood and Prior were hurt in 04. That's not Barrett's fault (but it may be Dusty's).

 

Zambrano and Clement were both better in 04 than they were in 03.

 

So who exactly was worse with Barrett than Miller?

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Why are you ripping on Stone for suggesting that the Cubs get a catcher that can actually handle the pitching staff? If so the only logical thing to do with Barrett is move him to LF.

 

I mean its not the best idea in the World but I'm all for having a defensive catcher back there. Maybe its just a fluke, but the pitching staff hasn't really been the same since 2003 when Miller left. And that is including the performances of the same pitchers from 2003.

 

Damien Miller had the magical ability to keep pitcher's healthy?

 

(Ignoring that Z has improved since 2003.)

[erik316wttn]

Stone doesn't have a clue.

 

He's exhibit A of why ex-players aren't good judges of what kind of talent wins games.

 

I wouldn't say ALL ex-players. Lasorda, Cox, Torre, etc are all ex-players and they're doing pretty well, I think.

[cheapseats]

Stone doesn't have a clue.

 

He's exhibit A of why ex-players aren't good judges of what kind of talent wins games.

 

I wouldn't say ALL ex-players. Lasorda, Cox, Torre, etc are all ex-players and they're doing pretty well, I think.

 

Disagree on Torre and especially Lasorda.

 

Lasorda got a good GM (Depodesta) run out of town, and Torre is far from a tactical mastermind.

[erik316wttn]

Stone doesn't have a clue.

 

He's exhibit A of why ex-players aren't good judges of what kind of talent wins games.

 

I wouldn't say ALL ex-players. Lasorda, Cox, Torre, etc are all ex-players and they're doing pretty well, I think.

 

Disagree on Torre and especially Lasorda.

 

Lasorda got a good GM (Depodesta) run out of town, and Torre is far from a tactical mastermind.

 

Just because Lasorda had some personal issues with his GM does not necessarily mean he was a bad judge of talent.

[WindyCity]

If the Cubs are going to "move" Barrett anywhere, I hope its at least to another team and hopefully its for 2-3 prospects that may be close to contributing in '07. Otherwise, just leave him behind the plate and find some other way to improve the offense @ 2B or in the entire OF.

[Fro]

- Move Lee to LF

- Get big immobile bum who can hit to play 1st base

[NewUserName]

I think now that Stone isnt rapped up in the booth that limits opinions, his true thoughts are coming out.

 

I think moving Barrett to LF is a bad idea. I would even go as far as saying that if Murton was given the fulltime job in Left his OPS would be better than Barretts next year.

 

What I dont understand is why Barrett was never even considered at 1b this year. I would rather have him at first, Blanco playing good defense at catcher than Mabry hitting about the same as Blanco and giving us decent defense at 1st.

 

Dont you kind of see Barretts defense being one the the reasons we lose next year brewing already.

[Warpticon]

Moving from catcher might be a good idea for Barrett--five years from now when he's past his prime, to extend his career. It's not going to help the Cubs improve their offense, and it's not likely to help Barrett improve his production over what he's doing right now. I don't think I can articulate how terrible this idea sounds for any immediate plans.

[rocket]

we should trade barrett for cesar izturis