1) The team didn't anticipate having a dearth of OFs when Rule 5 happened. If anything, it looked like there would be too many, and that's even knowing that Dukes would be traded/released.

2) Functionally, he's extremely similar to Fernando Perez, who we have starting in Durham this year.

3) Management didn't think they had room to hold a Rule 5 guy for a full year this year, so they sold the draft spot.

4) He's been hurt a lot and wasn't that spectacular last year.

Barton should be pretty decent if he can stay healthy - an OF who's good at everything but not great at anything, and he's the type of person who tends to overachieve based on his physical limitations. I don't blame them for not taking Barton at the time, but in retrospect, it would have been a good move. Same tack I have with leaving Hammy unprotected the prior year.

I'm a Cardinals fan as well, and love watching Barton play. But I must say that I think he was a better fit for the Redbirds than the Rays. As much as it'd be nice, just can't get everyone . . .