Barnhart's option is about the same LT hit as Bote's, and they outrighted him with multiple years left on his deal. It's not a real barrier to roster construction. As for his performance, I think what is abundantly clear is that offense comes second at best at the catching position right now, doubly so for backup catcher where the offensive bar is through the floor. And defense is largely a thing happening outside measurement as well, like we've seen with the hysteria surrounding Contreras's game calling and how smart teams have foregone offense at C. Yes Amaya hasn't looked overwhelmed at the plate, but he's also 2 for 7 with those 2 hits being an infield dribbler and a bloop behind 1st(I know he has some loud outs too). Barnhart started the year 4 for 10 with several loud outs, and while I'm not going to hold a candle that he's a league average bat, I think a slump the equivalent of a week's worth of at bats is maybe not the locked on expectation we'll have for the rest of the year.