Barney DFA, Traded to Dodgers

[Guest]

Yeah. I think they planned on bringing him up this year until he struggled so mightily. He's checking off the boxes now. I wouldn't be anywhere near shocked if he is up this year. The biggest plus would be getting the struggles out of the way.

 

Bryant isn't coming until next May at least, though.

 

He is "checking off boxes", but he's not dominating (at least for a prolonged stretch yet), which is what they've said they'd like to see a player do at each level. I'm not so sure they want to throw him into the fire just as he's getting fully adjusted to AAA.

 

Since May 17th (this is just the date I think I've heard used so I used it)

 

.304/.352/.576/.928 27%K 7.2% walk .390 wOBA 132 wRC+

 

Strikeouts and walks both trending better than that (22% K and 10% walk since 6/21)

 

Also, since 6/21 slashline is .308/.378/.548/.926 .396 wOBA 136 wRC+

Edited July 22, 2014 by David

[XZero771679666304]

It's conceivable that Javy comes up this year, but like TT said, there isn't room for him now. DFAing Barney made room for Alcantara (and just barely), not Baez. Now if Bonifacio gets moved, that changes things a bit.

 

I'm not sure how this is a reason. If you want to bring Javier Baez up, there's precisely two position players on the roster that are of a stature that makes them even worth considering: Castro and Rizzo. Everyone else can get in line and be filled in around whatever you want to do with Baez.

 

There's like six position players on the roster right now that could be sent away at any moment.

 

If Baez stays down, it won't be because there isn't "room" for him. That's weird.

 

Well, when they actually clear the space for him, then it becomes a more serious discussion. I'm not saying they won't clear the space for him, as obviously Bonifacio or Valbuena aren't going to block him. But clearing room for him is not what they did with this move.

 

I'm just trying not to get ahead of myself here.

[UMFan83]

At least he has more time to spend with his newborn?

[Fro]

It's conceivable that Javy comes up this year, but like TT said, there isn't room for him now. DFAing Barney made room for Alcantara (and just barely), not Baez. Now if Bonifacio gets moved, that changes things a bit.

 

I'm not sure how this is a reason. If you want to bring Javier Baez up, there's precisely two position players on the roster that are of a stature that makes them even worth considering: Castro and Rizzo. Everyone else can get in line and be filled in around whatever you want to do with Baez.

 

There's like six position players on the roster right now that could be sent away at any moment.

 

If Baez stays down, it won't be because there isn't "room" for him. That's weird.

 

I think the only consideration is you want to get Bonifacio at-bats somewhere since he should have a little trade value. But in theory he, Baez, and Alcantara could all play at the same time for a while.

[Gilby]

Not that I am sad or anything, but I would have DFA'd or sent down like 3 or 4 guys before Barney.

 

I'm not sure if this particular move has much to do with Baez, but him switching positions is pretty telling. They didn't have Alcantara play any outfield in the beginning of the season. They've been quick to promote him when he's started to figure things out in the past, and Kyle made a good point about getting the most out of this free year by bringing him up soon. Wouldn't surprise me if he's up the day after Bonifacio gets traded.

[XZero771679666304]

Yeah. I think they planned on bringing him up this year until he struggled so mightily. He's checking off the boxes now. I wouldn't be anywhere near shocked if he is up this year. The biggest plus would be getting the struggles out of the way.

 

Bryant isn't coming until next May at least, though.

 

He is "checking off boxes", but he's not dominating (at least for a prolonged stretch yet), which is what they've said they'd like to see a player do at each level. I'm not so sure they want to throw him into the fire just as he's getting fully adjusted to AAA.

 

Since May 17th (this is just the date I think I've heard used so I used it)

 

.304/.352/.576/.928 27%K 7.2% walk .390 wOBA 132 wRC+

 

Strikeouts and walks both trending better than that (22% K and 10% walk since 6/21)

 

Also, since 6/21 slashline is .308/.378/.548/.926 .396 wOBA 136 wRC+

 

Yeah, there's no denying he's been very good lately. And maybe they want him to get his adjustment struggles out of the way this season (which would be a very encouraging sign as far their intent for 2015 goes).

 

But I'm just not going to skip a dot by saying DFAing Barney means Javy is about to be promoted. To my eye, this was more about keeping AA on the big league club than it was about Baez.

[davell]

The open 40 man spot is what raises my eyebrow on Javy. Not to mention we'll likely have additional ones from trades within the next 10 days or so.

 

If a lefty pen guy, Bonifacio, and one of Ruggiano/Schierholtz gets moved-I'm guessing Javy, Rivero, and Jokisch get added. And hopefully Castillo, if we can sign him.

[Guest]

My god, talk about a sudden massive jolt in interest in the MLB team for me if Javy gets called up anytime remotely soon.

[Guest]

Javy is not coming up soon, this barely gives Alcantara a roster spot and playing time.

 

Maybe.

 

But

 

1) Javy's got almost 400 AAA PAs

2) If they call him up soon, you are getting most of the "free" year still

3) The scouting reports have been pretty good on him lately

4) They sure do seem to be shoving Alcantara to CF pretty hard

5) Javy's changed positions, which is something you don't really need to do if promotion is still 9.5 months away

6) They just DFA'd the ostensible "starting" 2b and opened up a 40-man spot

 

Maybe they want to get the "adjustment" period underway to help our chances in 2015.

 

1/3) Absolutely, Javy is getting very close to being ready

 

2) Unless you keep him down until June next year(defeating the whole purpose), you're losing a year of team control.

 

4) With Bonifacio on the roster that doesn't necessarily mean there's an opening at 2B. Also, Alcantara has 2 MLB games and 11 MiLB games in the outfield.

 

5) It's something you want to do to get a guy familiar with his future home if he's ~50 games and a ST away from being the MLB 2B too

 

6) The roster spot is for Bonifacio(or Alcantara depending on your perspective), they still need to send someone down tomorrow just so there's a 5th starter.

 

 

Maybe they bring up Baez, but to me the service time reason overshadows all the others. There's no benefit to forfeiting an entire year of service time at this point, he hasn't so thoroughly mastered AAA to think it's at all needed to bring him up to advance his development.

[Guest]

If they care about winning next year and aren't going to make it blatantly obvious that they're holding him down for service time by calling him up in 10 days, (not to mention getting the adjustment period out of the way), that takes priority over the extra year of control.

[XZero771679666304]

Not that I am sad or anything, but I would have DFA'd or sent down like 3 or 4 guys before Barney.

 

I'm not sure if this particular move has much to do with Baez, but him switching positions is pretty telling. They didn't have Alcantara play any outfield in the beginning of the season. They've been quick to promote him when he's started to figure things out in the past, and Kyle made a good point about getting the most out of this free year by bringing him up soon. Wouldn't surprise me if he's up the day after Bonifacio gets traded.

 

Well, he's not an OF (who can hit), or he'd probably still be here. Either Barney was going to go, or AA was going to be demoted.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

But I'm just not going to skip a dot by saying DFAing Barney means Javy is about to be promoted. To my eye, this was more about keeping AA on the big league club than it was about Baez.

 

I'm not saying it's definitely happening. It's just a small dot in a picture that was already starting to come into focus. The big dot was the position switch.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

Dammit, I was trying to convince the resident Royals fan in the office to call Dayton Moore and urge him to trade for Barney just this morning. I guess with a DFA there's still time.

[Gilby]

But I'm just not going to skip a dot by saying DFAing Barney means Javy is about to be promoted. To my eye, this was more about keeping AA on the big league club than it was about Baez.

 

I'm not saying it's definitely happening. It's just a small dot in a picture that was already starting to come into focus. The big dot was the position switch.

 

I think it's also mildly interesting that Alcantara is playing CF with Bonifacio at 2B tonight. Though maybe they'll swap each game or something.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Well, he's not an OF (who can hit), or he'd probably still be here. Either Barney was going to go, or AA was going to be demoted.

 

I'm just not seeing this. I'm really confused as to how "Bonifacio activated = Alcantara sent down unless Barney released."

 

Alcantara's been playing CF and 2b. You could literally send down or release *any* of the position players and get to the same result.

[squally1313]

Javy is not coming up soon, this barely gives Alcantara a roster spot and playing time.

 

Maybe.

 

But

 

1) Javy's got almost 400 AAA PAs

2) If they call him up soon, you are getting most of the "free" year still

3) The scouting reports have been pretty good on him lately

4) They sure do seem to be shoving Alcantara to CF pretty hard

5) Javy's changed positions, which is something you don't really need to do if promotion is still 9.5 months away

6) They just DFA'd the ostensible "starting" 2b and opened up a 40-man spot

 

Maybe they want to get the "adjustment" period underway to help our chances in 2015.

 

1/3) Absolutely, Javy is getting very close to being ready

 

2) Unless you keep him down until June next year(defeating the whole purpose), you're losing a year of team control.

 

4) With Bonifacio on the roster that doesn't necessarily mean there's an opening at 2B. Also, Alcantara has 2 MLB games and 11 MiLB games in the outfield.

 

5) It's something you want to do to get a guy familiar with his future home if he's ~50 games and a ST away from being the MLB 2B too

 

6) The roster spot is for Bonifacio(or Alcantara depending on your perspective), they still need to send someone down tomorrow just so there's a 5th starter.

 

 

Maybe they bring up Baez, but to me the service time reason overshadows all the others. There's no benefit to forfeiting an entire year of service time at this point, he hasn't so thoroughly mastered AAA to think it's at all needed to bring him up to advance his development.

 

I think Kyle's last, unnumbered point deserves some consideration as well. With Alcantara already up, Soler having no contract concerns, and Bryant being seemingly ready, we're looking at having that first wave all be here next year. If they think we can compete next year with those guys and the money we have, maybe they think it's worth it to avoid having Javy's adjustment period (if that's an actual thing) take place in the first 2 months of next year.

[Tedward]

Javy is not coming up soon, this barely gives Alcantara a roster spot and playing time.

 

Maybe.

 

But

 

1) Javy's got almost 400 AAA PAs

2) If they call him up soon, you are getting most of the "free" year still

3) The scouting reports have been pretty good on him lately

4) They sure do seem to be shoving Alcantara to CF pretty hard

5) Javy's changed positions, which is something you don't really need to do if promotion is still 9.5 months away

6) They just DFA'd the ostensible "starting" 2b and opened up a 40-man spot

 

Maybe they want to get the "adjustment" period underway to help our chances in 2015.

 

1/3) Absolutely, Javy is getting very close to being ready

 

2) Unless you keep him down until June next year(defeating the whole purpose), you're losing a year of team control.

 

4) With Bonifacio on the roster that doesn't necessarily mean there's an opening at 2B. Also, Alcantara has 2 MLB games and 11 MiLB games in the outfield.

 

5) It's something you want to do to get a guy familiar with his future home if he's ~50 games and a ST away from being the MLB 2B too

 

6) The roster spot is for Bonifacio(or Alcantara depending on your perspective), they still need to send someone down tomorrow just so there's a 5th starter.

 

 

Maybe they bring up Baez, but to me the service time reason overshadows all the others. There's no benefit to forfeiting an entire year of service time at this point, he hasn't so thoroughly mastered AAA to think it's at all needed to bring him up to advance his development.

 

+1

 

I can possibly see a call-up in September but Baez coming up may win a couple of games with his bat. IMO this front office wants one more top five draft choice. Baez's bat could wreck that plan.....

[Flames24Rulz]

Bonifacio is obviously just going to be showcased the next few weeks, right? I would be willing to say that as soon as Bonifacio is moved, Baez will be called up. Makes sense.

[NOLA]

I can possibly see a call-up in September but Baez coming up may win a couple of games with his bat. IMO this front office wants one more top five draft choice. Baez's bat could wreck that plan.....

You're kidding, right? RIGHT? I just refuse to believe that tanking is in the top 5 things they consider with roster moves.

[Guest]

Javy is not coming up soon, this barely gives Alcantara a roster spot and playing time.

 

Maybe.

 

But

 

1) Javy's got almost 400 AAA PAs

2) If they call him up soon, you are getting most of the "free" year still

3) The scouting reports have been pretty good on him lately

4) They sure do seem to be shoving Alcantara to CF pretty hard

5) Javy's changed positions, which is something you don't really need to do if promotion is still 9.5 months away

6) They just DFA'd the ostensible "starting" 2b and opened up a 40-man spot

 

Maybe they want to get the "adjustment" period underway to help our chances in 2015.

 

1/3) Absolutely, Javy is getting very close to being ready

 

2) Unless you keep him down until June next year(defeating the whole purpose), you're losing a year of team control.

 

4) With Bonifacio on the roster that doesn't necessarily mean there's an opening at 2B. Also, Alcantara has 2 MLB games and 11 MiLB games in the outfield.

 

5) It's something you want to do to get a guy familiar with his future home if he's ~50 games and a ST away from being the MLB 2B too

 

6) The roster spot is for Bonifacio(or Alcantara depending on your perspective), they still need to send someone down tomorrow just so there's a 5th starter.

 

 

Maybe they bring up Baez, but to me the service time reason overshadows all the others. There's no benefit to forfeiting an entire year of service time at this point, he hasn't so thoroughly mastered AAA to think it's at all needed to bring him up to advance his development.

 

+1

 

I can possibly see a call-up in September but Baez coming up may win a couple of games with his bat. IMO this front office wants one more top five draft choice. Baez's bat could wreck that plan.....

 

With how Javy tends to struggle at the beginning when at a new level, his bat could help them get that better pick this year.

[Guest]

This would have come at the end of the season anyway. He'll catch on somewhere.

[Tedward]

I can possibly see a call-up in September but Baez coming up may win a couple of games with his bat. IMO this front office wants one more top five draft choice. Baez's bat could wreck that plan.....

You're kidding, right? RIGHT? I just refuse to believe that tanking is in the top 5 things they consider with roster moves.

 

Just another consideration in addition to all what had been previously mentioned in terms of service time, and blowing the extra year of control. If I get the #1 pick in next years draft as a result of keeping Javy down until next May then great. I'll take that too.

[Guest]

If they care about winning next year and aren't going to make it blatantly obvious that they're holding him down for service time by calling him up in 10 days, (not to mention getting the adjustment period out of the way), that takes priority over the extra year of control.

 

Baez could pretty easily struggle for 500 PAs to fully adjust to MLB pitchers. It could take 1000 for all we know, if 'caring' about winning in 2015 is the top priority, Baez should be the one traded considering his floor and the other options. Sacrificing a year of team control for the difference in "Javy MLB PA 201-700" and "Javy MLB PA 1-500" is a really, really bad idea.

[XZero771679666304]

I can possibly see a call-up in September but Baez coming up may win a couple of games with his bat. IMO this front office wants one more top five draft choice. Baez's bat could wreck that plan.....

You're kidding, right? RIGHT? I just refuse to believe that tanking is in the top 5 things they consider with roster moves.

 

I don't think it's their top priority, but I don't think tanking would hurt their feelings any. Regardless of their intent, if things hold to pattern, calling up Baez wouldn't give the Cubs a bunch of wins. He'd probably struggle for while.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

2) Unless you keep him down until June next year(defeating the whole purpose), you're losing a year of team control.

 

It's semantics, but there's a difference between "losing" a year by only getting 6.0 out of him and "using" a year by still getting a bunch of extra months, but using them up a year earlier.

 

4) With Bonifacio on the roster that doesn't necessarily mean there's an opening at 2B. Also, Alcantara has 2 MLB games and 11 MiLB games in the outfield.

 

And they are all very recent, which leads us too...

 

5) It's something you want to do to get a guy familiar with his future home if he's ~50 games and a ST away from being the MLB 2B too

 

It's pretty unnecessary, and the consensus seems to be that you'd rather leave him at SS longer in that case to make sure he's getting as many ground balls as possible. For long stretches, the best way to prepare to play 2b is to play SS.

 

6) The roster spot is for Bonifacio(or Alcantara depending on your perspective), they still need to send someone down tomorrow just so there's a 5th starter.

 

We're not close to running out of bad players that could be cut with no remorse.