And Barrett was/is a crappy baseball player, beyond the offense, he has no other redeeming quality. Poor base runner, can't catch the ball, called a poor game, cannot throw anyone out, if Bowen hits .220 but, provides more complete baseball. He'll increase the Cubs' chances of playing better baseball and perhaps, winning baseball. The argument that Barrett was a good hitter but a bad player ignores the fact that hitting is the most critical part of a player's responsibilities. If the team can't score runs, having a few less mental mistakes on the bases and behind the plate won't matter. Some people are greatly overrating intangible factors in their search for a scapegoat for this season, especially when it comes to the game calling myth. Barrett's CERA is 4.26 catching Cubs pitchers. Over the same time, his backups' CERAs are 4.32 combined. CERA is a completely and totally meaningless stat, and whether or not our pitchers felt more comfortable pitching to Barrett or the backup, they performed more or less the same. Bowen's grit isn't going to save the team if he can't hit. Last night showed clearly that removing the intangible clubhouse cancer did very little to alieviate the mental mistakes the team makes.