Cubs trade Barrett to Padres for Rob Bowen & Kyler Burke

[Soriano12]

Has anyone heard that this deal originally included Greene? I just read it on another board.

 

Why would we want Greene? We already have SS who can't hit.

 

At least Greene hits for power and plays some legitimately good defense.

 

Don't forget the GRIT factor.

[YearofDaCubs]

Bowen's BABIP is .385. That should tell you something.

 

That said, he can draw a walk and hit for a little power, and his PECOTA projections are around a .700 OPS, which isn't terrible, though the OBP part (~.320) is nothing to write home about. The part that doesn't make a whole lot of sense is that he profiles to be the same type of player as Soto, so really what's the point in trading for a guy that you already have.

We've paid for most of Barrett's remaining contract, traded for a cather in which we can probably get the same production in house and also received a prospect who hasn't done squat so far. It seems Hendry made up his mind and he traded him for peanuts but does this improve our team at all? IMO no it does not, and why make a trade if it doesn't improve the team? I hope I'm wrong here but this trade doesn't make sense for us.

[inari]

Okay, to expand on what I said earlier about Greene... Bruce Levine apparently reported this was the original deal:

 

Jones, Izturis, Barrett, cash, for Greene, Bowen

 

If that was the original deal, it's good simply because of how much dead weight we would have lost.

[YearofDaCubs]

I really got excited when I thought Linebrink was in this deal, I would have even been fine with giving up Epatt to get him.(Considering the Cubs are toying with the idea of moving him to LF and killing his value)

Yeah, if we got Linebrink I would be happy but that didn't happen.

[YearofDaCubs]

Okay, to expand on what I said earlier about Greene... Bruce Levine apparently reported this was the original deal:

 

Jones, Izturis, Barrett, cash, for Greene, Bowen

 

If that was the original deal, it's good simply because of how much dead weight we would have lost.

No way that was the trade, no way. The Padres GM would never make that trade.

[Brian]

i would have partied in the streets if that would have been the deal

[Shilzzz]

and iirc, baseball prospectus had mentioned that his downslide would start this year and it wouldn't be exactly pretty (though i'm not looking at my book right now and could be wrong).

 

It did, but his equivalent averages still outpaced bowen easily. That said, given his poor defense and questionable relationship with some of the staff's pitchers, it might not have been worth the price to sign him.

 

well then i guess it boils down to whether or not you value a catcher's defensive/receiving skills over that drop in offense. if you get good rich hill on, maybe, 30% of the outings with bowen you would otherwise have bad hill if barrett is catching, is that worth it?

 

we aren't talking izturis here. defense at catcher is a little different, imo.

[98navigator]

on michael's wikipedia page:

 

Barrett was reportedly traded because Cubs Manager Lou Piniella "can't have [w]ussies playing on my team."

 

did lou really say that?

 

If he did, I can't see Lou allowing anyone to quote him saying that. Remember, Wikipedia is public and anyone can edit a page.

 

i think everyone knows wikipedia is public, thank you. i just hadn't read anywhere that that had been said before.

 

hendry is so frustrating in these deals because it's like he fashions himself an alchemist, since the hundley/ramirez/lee deals, that he can go out and find 'overlooked' players and turn them into something.

 

however, i'm going to hold my opinion on this one. most people here would probably be of the mind that pitching is what wins championships, and if it takes losing some offense at the catcher position to comfort the staff, and help them pitch better, then i am all for it. and besides, it's not like barrett was lighting the world ablaze this year. and iirc, baseball prospectus had mentioned that his downslide would start this year and it wouldn't be exactly pretty (though i'm not looking at my book right now and could be wrong).

 

that burke, on the other hand... :cry:

 

Don't get sensitive.

[Post Count Padder]

I just checked my 2001 Baseball America Prospect Handbook, and BA had Bowen listed as the Twins 7th best prospect that year. He was drafted one round ahead of Morneau, and BA at the time said:

 

"He doesn't have Morneau's bat, but Bowan's defensive skills put him on an identical track record now."

 

"Mobile behind the plate and has strong arm."

 

"...dominant on defense..."

 

"A switch hitter, he has more power from the right side."

 

 

Yeah, I know this is an old scouting report, but I thought it may be helpful.

[JGalt73]

Looks like the Cubs will take a hit in stolen bases against...

 

Rob Bowen has thrown out 11% of baserunners this year and 10% in his career.

 

Michael Barret has thrown out 17% this year and 23% in his career.

[RonnieWooWooSanto]

Okay, to expand on what I said earlier about Greene... Bruce Levine apparently reported this was the original deal:

 

Jones, Izturis, Barrett, cash, for Greene, Bowen

 

If that was the original deal, it's good simply because of how much dead weight we would have lost.

 

If that the case, then it reminds me of the Maddux trade to LA. He wanted minor leaguers and they said no, so Hendry settled for the bare minimum.

[TruffleShuffle]

Okay, to expand on what I said earlier about Greene... Bruce Levine apparently reported this was the original deal:

 

Jones, Izturis, Barrett, cash, for Greene, Bowen

 

If that was the original deal, it's good simply because of how much dead weight we would have lost.

 

and because we'd actually have gotten a real, everyday shortstop. But that deal would have been horrendous for the Padres, which is why it wasn't made. Another Bruce Levine gem, if true.

[Lockes Eye Scar]

Looks like the Cubs will take a hit in stolen bases against...

 

Rob Bowen has thrown out 11% of baserunners this year and 10% in his career.

 

Michael Barret has thrown out 17% this year and 23% in his career.

 

The Padres have Chris Young and Greg Maddux, who are going to kill any catcher's throwing stats

[Shilzzz]

I really got excited when I thought Linebrink was in this deal, I would have even been fine with giving up Epatt to get him.(Considering the Cubs are toying with the idea of moving him to LF and killing his value)

 

you would really trade patterson for a 30-something RELIEF pitcher who throws in one of the most pitcher friendly parks in baseball?

[E.J.]

Bruce Levine is funny.

[Shilzzz]

on michael's wikipedia page:

 

Barrett was reportedly traded because Cubs Manager Lou Piniella "can't have [w]ussies playing on my team."

 

did lou really say that?

 

If he did, I can't see Lou allowing anyone to quote him saying that. Remember, Wikipedia is public and anyone can edit a page.

 

i think everyone knows wikipedia is public, thank you. i just hadn't read anywhere that that had been said before.

 

hendry is so frustrating in these deals because it's like he fashions himself an alchemist, since the hundley/ramirez/lee deals, that he can go out and find 'overlooked' players and turn them into something.

 

however, i'm going to hold my opinion on this one. most people here would probably be of the mind that pitching is what wins championships, and if it takes losing some offense at the catcher position to comfort the staff, and help them pitch better, then i am all for it. and besides, it's not like barrett was lighting the world ablaze this year. and iirc, baseball prospectus had mentioned that his downslide would start this year and it wouldn't be exactly pretty (though i'm not looking at my book right now and could be wrong).

 

that burke, on the other hand... :cry:

 

Don't get sensitive.

 

don't talk down to people.

[baseball7897]

Looks like the Cubs will take a hit in stolen bases against...

 

Rob Bowen has thrown out 11% of baserunners this year and 10% in his career.

 

Michael Barret has thrown out 17% this year and 23% in his career.

 

The Padres have Chris Young and Greg Maddux, who are going to kill any catcher's throwing stats

[CubColtPacer]

Looks like the Cubs will take a hit in stolen bases against...

 

Rob Bowen has thrown out 11% of baserunners this year and 10% in his career.

 

Michael Barret has thrown out 17% this year and 23% in his career.

 

The Padres have Chris Young and Greg Maddux, who are going to kill any catcher's throwing stats

 

Exactly-I thought Maddux was bad until I just saw the stats for Young. Since the start of last year, the opposition is 60/64 in stolen bases against him :shock:

[98navigator]

on michael's wikipedia page:

 

Barrett was reportedly traded because Cubs Manager Lou Piniella "can't have [w]ussies playing on my team."

 

did lou really say that?

 

If he did, I can't see Lou allowing anyone to quote him saying that. Remember, Wikipedia is public and anyone can edit a page.

 

i think everyone knows wikipedia is public, thank you. i just hadn't read anywhere that that had been said before.

 

hendry is so frustrating in these deals because it's like he fashions himself an alchemist, since the hundley/ramirez/lee deals, that he can go out and find 'overlooked' players and turn them into something.

 

however, i'm going to hold my opinion on this one. most people here would probably be of the mind that pitching is what wins championships, and if it takes losing some offense at the catcher position to comfort the staff, and help them pitch better, then i am all for it. and besides, it's not like barrett was lighting the world ablaze this year. and iirc, baseball prospectus had mentioned that his downslide would start this year and it wouldn't be exactly pretty (though i'm not looking at my book right now and could be wrong).

 

that burke, on the other hand... :cry:

 

Don't get sensitive.

 

don't talk down to people.

 

That's how you took it! I wasn't talking down to you but you're certainly free to believe that...

[Derwood]

To confirm the Towers/Maddux thing, I heard Towers on the Jim Rome show. It was hilarious. Jim asks if Towers had any hesitancy about Barrett's character and clubhouse incidents and he says "I went to Maddux and asked him and Greg said 'what are you waiting for? Get him in here!'"

 

To which I said, out loud, "right, because you loved him so much before that you insisted he never catch you."

[Soriano12]

I really got excited when I thought Linebrink was in this deal, I would have even been fine with giving up Epatt to get him.(Considering the Cubs are toying with the idea of moving him to LF and killing his value)

 

you would really trade patterson for a 30-something RELIEF pitcher who throws in one of the most pitcher friendly parks in baseball?

 

Yes. He is young 30 something, has a very good contract, and before this season, his home and away splits were actually pretty similiar.

[YearofDaCubs]

I really got excited when I thought Linebrink was in this deal, I would have even been fine with giving up Epatt to get him.(Considering the Cubs are toying with the idea of moving him to LF and killing his value)

 

you would really trade patterson for a 30-something RELIEF pitcher who throws in one of the most pitcher friendly parks in baseball?

Linebrink is 30 so he's not that old. His ERA away this year a little above 4 but his 3 year stats away from home look much better. Career away ERA 2.76.

[98navigator]

To confirm the Towers/Maddux thing, I heard Towers on the Jim Rome show. It was hilarious. Jim asks if Towers had any hesitancy about Barrett's character and clubhouse incidents and he says "I went to Maddux and asked him and Greg said 'what are you waiting for? Get him in here!'"

 

To which I said, out loud, "right, because you loved him so much before that you insisted he never catch you."

 

Exactly. It's hypocritical from a catching standpoint. However, I'm sure they're hoping his bat picks them up.

[TruffleShuffle]

I really got excited when I thought Linebrink was in this deal, I would have even been fine with giving up Epatt to get him.(Considering the Cubs are toying with the idea of moving him to LF and killing his value)

 

you would really trade patterson for a 30-something RELIEF pitcher who throws in one of the most pitcher friendly parks in baseball?

 

I wouldn't, because Patterson should have more value than that. But Linebrink has been consistently good for years now... regardless of where he pitches, he's very solid. I'd be happy to have him on the Cubs, for the right price.

[Amazing_Grace]

I really got excited when I thought Linebrink was in this deal, I would have even been fine with giving up Epatt to get him.(Considering the Cubs are toying with the idea of moving him to LF and killing his value)

 

you would really trade patterson for a 30-something RELIEF pitcher who throws in one of the most pitcher friendly parks in baseball?

 

whose ERA away from Petco is a dazzling 4.51 no less.