Rays Talking to Michael Barrett

by R.J. Anderson on Nov 11, 2007 1:55 PM EST

Ken Rosenthal reports the Rays have contacted free agent catcher Michael Barrett:

The Rays are among the teams that have made contact with free-agent catcher Michael Barrett, but the team's greater priorities are finding bullpen help and upgrading at shortstop. Barrett, 31, is a Type A free agent, while fellow free agents Paul LoDuca and Yorvit Torrealba are Type Bs. Under the collective-bargaining agreement, a team would not lose a draft pick for signing LoDuca or Torrealba; their previous clubs would receive a sandwich pick between the first and second rounds. Barrett would cost any team that signed him a first- or second-round pick if the Padres offered him arbitration

Barrett, 31, could be the bargain of the off-season; last season he posted totals lower than his career averages including a .653 OPS, nearly .100 points lower than his career average. If signed I'd assume Barrett would rotate between DH and catching as well as potentially playing the corner infield positions. The news also raises questions of just how secure the team feels it is with Dioner Navarro and often injured Shawn Riggans as their lone catchers, Navarro was on the receiving end of some odd injuries last year, including being hit in the throat on a tricky hop. Also apparently Barret's PECOTA card is free to view for whatever reason, it's worth the look.

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Re: Rays Talking to Michael Barrett

I find it hard to believe that Barrett is a type A free-agent after the previous season.

by thecoolest on Nov 11, 2007 2:41 PM EST reply actions

I believe they base it on the past three years

But you're correct; it's a joke that Barrett is an A while Andruw Jones is a B.

by R.J. Anderson on Nov 11, 2007 2:42 PM EST up reply actions

Without getting too excited

One of the reasons the Padres acquired Barrett was attributed to Greg Maddux's high appreciation of him so to speak. That being said he's not the greatest of defensive catchers, and I doubt his defense at 3B is worth the hassle.

by R.J. Anderson on Nov 11, 2007 4:07 PM EST reply actions

Re: Rays Talking to Michael Barrett

Anyone who punches A.J. Pierzynski in the face is fine by me.

by SOOOtaguchi on Nov 11, 2007 6:58 PM EST reply actions

Agreed

by R.J. Anderson on Nov 11, 2007 7:09 PM EST up reply actions

Re: Agreed

I love when A.J. comes to town. I always ask him how Jim Rome is doing.

by Flabull on Nov 11, 2007 8:23 PM EST up reply actions

Re: Rays Talking to Michael Barrett

The price seems to be rising for potential starting catchers - and the loss of a draft pick for Barratt might be a tipping point. Lo Duca could come cheaper from both points of view, and could perhaps be signed for a shorter term. Can't see the Rays going deep here when they have bigger fish to fry and a limited amount of oil to cook with.

by nyyfaninlaaland on Nov 11, 2007 7:00 PM EST reply actions

I want Lo Duca nowhere near this team

by R.J. Anderson on Nov 11, 2007 7:09 PM EST up reply actions

I suppose it's okay to exhaust your options

At least they are talking to people, but quite frankly catcher is far down on my list of priorities this offseason. I am content with at least starting next season out with Navarro as the starter. I suppose my support for Barrett coming here would depend upon the role in which they intend to use him in, because I certainly don't object to having a good veteran backup to Navarro on the roster. Another side of that is: do we really want Barrett on this team? He seems to be a colossal dick, and that's okay if it doesn't bring down the team as a whole. But I don't know if the tradeoff would be worth it with him.

by Patrick L. Kennedy on Nov 11, 2007 7:47 PM EST reply actions

He's not that bad of a person

He can be a dick, from what I've heard, but all the on-the-field junk was due to Zambrano's explosive and erratic personality. Zambrano, when he gave up hits and runs, blamed it on everyone but himself. However, if you look at his post-signing stats, he was a horrible pitcher and couldn't blame his bad pitching on Koyie Hill, Jason Kendall, Henry Blanco or Giovany "a catcher we chould trade for" Soto.

If you meet Barrett in person, which I have, he's a pretty nice guy to fans and people around him.

by Jacob Larsen on Nov 11, 2007 8:24 PM EST up reply actions

Re: He's not that bad of a person

Agree with what you say about Barrett.

Also agree about what you say about Giovany Soto. My cousin who plays in AAA ball saw him play this year and said "he is a beast who is going to do well in the majors." I don't know if we could get him though. What would they want?

by Flabull on Nov 11, 2007 8:58 PM EST up reply actions