Barrett

[brfahey]

Just wanted to take a pulse. It strikes me that Barrett is a below average defensive catcher to whom the starters seem reluctant to throw. Lots of missed pitches and passed balls. Lazy footwork at times behind the plate. He is a pretty good hitter. He has good-looking offensive numbers and even good RISP numbers but often seems to tense up in those men on base situations. Also he seems to tense up in tight situations on the field (Philadelphia, throwing the ball down the left field line against the Reds earlier in the year, mishandling a lot of throws from the outfield on plays at home). Finally, last year he let his personal problem with Oswalt become a big issue which triggered the Astros run.

 

In short, I don't think he's a real plus to this team particularly playing the position he does. Is it a coincidence that the pitching has been very uneven since his arrival? I think we are far better off having a catcher whose defense comes first. Barrett seems ripe for a switch to a less challenging position. I just don't wnat to see him mis-handling the staff for another year.

[Sarcastic]

Just wanted to take a pulse. It strikes me that Barrett is a below average defensive catcher to whom the starters seem reluctant to throw. Lots of missed pitches and passed balls. Lazy footwork at times behind the plate. He is a pretty good hitter. He has good-looking offensive numbers and even good RISP numbers but often seems to tense up in those men on base situations. Also he seems to tense up in tight situations on the field (Philadelphia, throwing the ball down the left field line against the Reds earlier in the year, mishandling a lot of throws from the outfield on plays at home). Finally, last year he let his personal problem with Oswalt become a big issue which triggered the Astros run.

 

In short, I don't think he's a real plus to this team particularly playing the position he does. Is it a coincidence that the pitching has been very uneven since his arrival? I think we are far better off having a catcher whose defense comes first. Barrett seems ripe for a switch to a less challenging position. I just don't wnat to see him mis-handling the staff for another year.

 

I disagree. I don't think either of us have proof that Barrett is or isn't the cause of the pitching woes this team has had, which leaves us with the issue of his defense. He hasn't been great, but considering his offensive numbers, I'm willing to let that go. He is 5th among catchers in the MLB in VORP, and he is showing a capability to take pitches and draw walks. Considering all of this, unless it is proven that he is the cause of the pitcher's problems, I think his offensive output more than makes up for his fielding.

[BleedCubbieBlue81]

Barrett's defensive shortcomings are noticeable, but look at it this way, at least he's not Piazza.

 

I like Barrett. He's a vocal leader on the team. He's a very good hitting catcher. And he throws out a decent number of base stealers. If he can improve on his defense a little bit, he'd be solid in my book.

 

Ha, I forgot about that Oswalt thing. But to be fair, Oswalt had it coming.

[brfahey]

Barrett's defensive shortcomings are noticeable, but look at it this way, at least he's not Piazza.

 

I like Barrett. He's a vocal leader on the team. He's a very good hitting catcher. And he throws out a decent number of base stealers. If he can improve on his defense a little bit, he'd be solid in my book.

 

Ha, I forgot about that Oswalt thing. But to be fair, Oswalt had it coming.

 

I hope the goal is not just not to be Piazza. As for his leadership, where has it lead the Cubs in the time he's been here?

[minnesotacubsfan]

Ha, I forgot about that Oswalt thing. But to be fair, Oswalt had it coming.

 

YES HE DID.

 

AS FAR AS BARRETTS D IS CONCERNED, WHY CANT THE CUBS GET A CATCHING COACH TO WORK WITH HIM ON IT? SEEMS LIKE HS IS LACKING SOME FUNDAMENTALS, AND HE COULD IMPROVE WITH SOME HARD WORK..

[BleedCubbieBlue81]

Barrett's defensive shortcomings are noticeable, but look at it this way, at least he's not Piazza.

 

I like Barrett. He's a vocal leader on the team. He's a very good hitting catcher. And he throws out a decent number of base stealers. If he can improve on his defense a little bit, he'd be solid in my book.

 

Ha, I forgot about that Oswalt thing. But to be fair, Oswalt had it coming.

 

I hope the goal is not just not to be Piazza. As for his leadership, where has it lead the Cubs in the time he's been here?

 

I was just pointing out that it could be worse defensively. But as far as leadership goes, he's one of the guys I hear about in the lockerroom getting on guys about not performing. He's one of the guys getting on guys about hustling. You ask where his leadership has led the Cubs, I ask where the Cubs would be without his leadership. That's just my opinion though.

[BobRoss139]

On one hand, I like his offense, I like his personality and his presense on the team. I like him a lot. That being said, his defense sucks and we could probably use an upgrade.

[Sarcastic]

On one hand, I like his offense, I like his personality and his presense on the team. I like him a lot. That being said, his defense sucks and we could probably use an upgrade.

 

Good idea. Hendry can put you in charge of finding an available great defensive catcher who also has an above average bat and a salary of $4,000,000 or less.

[Electron Blue]

On one hand, I like his offense, I like his personality and his presense on the team. I like him a lot. That being said, his defense sucks and we could probably use an upgrade.

 

Good idea. Hendry can put you in charge of finding an available great defensive catcher who also has an above average bat and a salary of $4,000,000 or less.

 

So just because Barrett is pretty good compared to others, his weaknesses should be ignored. I get what you're saying - I don't think we could find a realistic "upgrade" either. But if defense is the flaw is Barrett's game, who's to say it couldn't be worked on?

[Transmogrified Tiger]

On one hand, I like his offense, I like his personality and his presense on the team. I like him a lot. That being said, his defense sucks and we could probably use an upgrade.

 

Good idea. Hendry can put you in charge of finding an available great defensive catcher who also has an above average bat and a salary of $4,000,000 or less.

 

So just because Barrett is pretty good compared to others, his weaknesses should be ignored. I get what you're saying - I don't think we could find a realistic "upgrade" either. But if defense is the flaw is Barrett's game, who's to say it couldn't be worked on?

 

That's not what BobRoss said. He said "we could probably use an upgrade".

[Sarcastic]

Double post. Edited August 12, 2005 by Sarcastic

[wade]

I like him and he's pretty young still. There's a good chance he'll improve at least a little defensively in the next couple of years.

[Sarcastic]

On one hand, I like his offense, I like his personality and his presense on the team. I like him a lot. That being said, his defense sucks and we could probably use an upgrade.

 

Good idea. Hendry can put you in charge of finding an available great defensive catcher who also has an above average bat and a salary of $4,000,000 or less.

 

So just because Barrett is pretty good compared to others, his weaknesses should be ignored. I get what you're saying - I don't think we could find a realistic "upgrade" either. But if defense is the flaw is Barrett's game, who's to say it couldn't be worked on?

 

I agree that Barrett should work on his defense, but as CPatterson20 said, BobRoss said we could use an upgrade. That's what I was responding to.

[Electron Blue]

On one hand, I like his offense, I like his personality and his presense on the team. I like him a lot. That being said, his defense sucks and we could probably use an upgrade.

 

Good idea. Hendry can put you in charge of finding an available great defensive catcher who also has an above average bat and a salary of $4,000,000 or less.

 

So just because Barrett is pretty good compared to others, his weaknesses should be ignored. I get what you're saying - I don't think we could find a realistic "upgrade" either. But if defense is the flaw is Barrett's game, who's to say it couldn't be worked on?

 

I agree that Barrett should work on his defense, but as CPatterson20 said, BobRoss said we could use an upgrade. That's what I was responding to.

 

Right, I certainly agree with that. While Barrett will frustrate me sometimes behind the plate, there isn't another catcher out there I would want, for what he gives us for the price we pay him.

[Productive Outs]

Going by runs created, he's the best offensive catcher in the national league.

 

hardballtimes

 

I think we should keep him. His defense can be improved.

[AcesHigh]

Improving defense is much easier than improving offense. Look at Aramis. When he came here in 03, there were major questions about his defense. Now, he's worked himself into a respectable fielder.

 

I'd keep Barrett just for his bat. Is defense worth losing 40-50 points in BA for someone like Blanco or Matheny? I don't think so. Find a coach that can make him an average fielder and he is a valuable player.

[UK1679666180]

He's still pretty raw as a C, he came up in Montreal's system as a 3B. He shifted to C after they realized he doesn't have the bat for 3B.

 

He still projects to be an avg. C, he has quick enough feet and a strong enough arm. Despite the shortcomings, I think he has instincts to play C.

[Uber]

I like Barrett. That is all.

[barrettismyidol]

I like Barrett. That is all.

 

I agree. Not like you could guess that I like him or anything..

[Marco4]

I like Barrett. That is all.

 

I like him too. Especially since the new Patient Barrett appeared after the ASB. Maybe that's been built up too much, I don't know the stats, but he certainly seems to have longer ABs

[Sarcastic]

I like Barrett. That is all.

 

I like him too. Especially since the new Patient Barrett appeared after the ASB. Maybe that's been built up too much, I don't know the stats, but he certainly seems to have longer ABs

 

I'd say it's fair to say that he's been more patient. He's definitely improved his walk rate from last year. He's also been a bit better overall.

 

2004: .287/.337/.489/.826

2005: .286/.352/.502/.854

[Fred Hornkohl]

I like Barrett. That is all.

 

I like him too. Especially since the new Patient Barrett appeared after the ASB. Maybe that's been built up too much, I don't know the stats, but he certainly seems to have longer ABs

 

I'd say it's fair to say that he's been more patient. He's definitely improved his walk rate from last year. He's also been a bit better overall.

 

2004: .287/.337/.489/.826

2005: .286/.352/.502/.854

 

Interesting ups and downs this year for Barrett......

 

Barrett        AB   R   H  2B  3B  HR  TB RBI  BB  SO     BA    OBP    SLG    OPS
04/04 - 04/24  54   3   9   2   0   2  17   6   2   5  0.167  0.207  0.315  0.522
04/25 - 06/10 113  15  42  10   1   5  69  22   5  11  0.372  0.408  0.611  1.019
06/11 - 07/04  59   4   7   2   0   2  15   8   4  10  0.119  0.172  0.254  0.426
07/05 - 07/26  48   9  17   4   0   1  24   8  12   6  0.354  0.484  0.500  0.984
07/27 - 08/04  21   2   4   2   1   0   8   1   2   7  0.190  0.261  0.381  0.642
08/05 - 08/12  20   6  11   5   0   2  22   4   5   2  0.550  0.640  1.100  1.740

Overall       315  39  90  25   2  12 155  49  30  41  0.286  0.352  0.492  0.844

[forbez18]

As a college catcher it is interesting in what is valued more Offense of Defense for a cattcher.

 

Defense: Can save game by blocking balls and giving pitchers confidence to throw a strike out pitch in the dirt. Good pitch calling can create outs and get double plays and avoid big innings. The less a pitcher thinks the better he will pitch.

 

Offense: without it you have Blanko? can create big inning by getting on base and driving in runs. But a catcher usually bats 8th and can some times be hidden in the order.

 

If the cubs had a better all around team I would support going out and trying to improve in a defensive manner for a catcher, because I might be bias but I think its one of the most important positions. I liked Miller a lot I just wish he could have hit just a bit more, but if he was 5 years younger I would want him over Barret. NOT that I don't like Barret and in no way is he responsible for the short coming of the team.

[Roast]

I like Barrett. That is all.

 

I agree. Not like you could guess that I like him or anything..

 

[boasting] I shook his hand once [/boasting]

 

*insert Vance's obligatory "I got my picture taken with Sammy" post here*

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

I like Barrett. That is all.

 

I agree. Not like you could guess that I like him or anything..

 

[boasting] I shook his hand once [/boasting]

 

*insert Vance's obligatory "I got my picture taken with Sammy" post here*

 

And Sandberg....and Grace... :D